Supply, use, and abuse of intravenous immunoglobulin.
Intravenous immunoglobulin is used as a replacement therapy in primary immunodeficiency diseases as well as an immunomodulatory agent in a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The mechanisms of intravenous immunoglobulin action are complex and, for some disorders, not well understood. This paper reviews the recent literature and discusses approved, new, and controversial indications for intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, with special emphasis on its mechanism of action.
Nowak-Wegrzyn
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A
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Eudowood Division of Allergy and Immunology, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-3923, USA. anowak@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Lederman
H M
HM
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous