Rapid clearance of cytomegalovirus-specific IgG after repeated intravenous infusions of human immunoglobulin into allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients.
We studied the kinetics of the disappearance of CMV-specific IgG from the serum of 18 allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients who were receiving repeated intravenous infusions of immunoglobulin. Peak serum titers occurred 24-48 hr after infusion. The mean half-life of IgG to CMV varied from 30 to 70 hr. Additional studies showed that this unexpectedly short half-life was not specific for either the preparation used or the type of patient studied. Repeated treatment did not prevent patients from developing CMV infections (incidence, 50%); however, none of the patients developed CMV interstitial pneumonitis. Treatment had to be discontinued for one patient because of a serum sickness-like syndrome. Our results suggest that rational, time-sequential passive immunization regimens should be developed.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007700:Kinetics
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G