Plasma and gamma-globulin infusion in chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy.
We treated 17 patients with chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy (CIP) with infusions of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP). Thirteen patients had a beneficial response: 12 improved considerably and one moderately. The first signs of improvement were seen within 8 days of the onset of treatment. None of these patients had had spontaneous remissions for 2 months prior to treatment, and none had received immunosuppressive medication during the plasma infusions. The treatment effect was short-lasting in 9 patients. Re-institution of the FFP infusions was always followed by improvement. The same effect could be achieved by intravenous gamma-globulin. We conclude that infusions with FFP, of which the IgG fraction is the effective part, may induce a rapid and clinically important improvement in patients with CIP.
Vermeulen
M
M
van der Meché
F G
FG
Speelman
J D
JD
Weber
A
A
Busch
H F
HF
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000276:immunology; D010949:Plasma; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005719:gamma-Globulins