title: Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is standard therapy for primary immunodeficiencies, Kawasaki Disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. More recently, the use of high dose IVIg (2 g/kg in divided doses) has widened to include a number of inflammatory diseases, including atopic eczema. The mechanism of IVIg's anti-inflammatory action has yet to be fully understood. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of IgE responses and a reduction in inflammatory cytokines with a reduction in T-cell proliferation. Antibacterial and antitoxin effects may also play a role.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Health Waikato, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lamb
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rademaker
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous