Immunoglobulin substitution therapy in a patient with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and anti-IgA antibodies.
Permanent immunoglobulin substitution therapy was performed in a 44-year-old patient with common variable immunodeficiency, recurrent respiratory tract infections, total absence of serum IgA and a high titre of class-specific anti-IgA antibodies. An IgA-depleted i.v. immunoglobulin (IG) preparation was used. Infusions were well tolerated by the patient although minor anaphylactoid symptoms regularly occurred. Anti-IgA antibody titres rose during the first 4 months of treatment and gradually fell during the following 8 months. Regular IG substitution therapy led to a substantial improvement in the patient's health and quality of life.
D000328:Adult; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C049937:anti-IgA