[Incidence and characteristics of complications in aplastic anemia patients treated with antilymphocytic globulin].
OBJECTIVE
To examine frequency and characteristic features of complications arising in administration of domestic antilymphocytic globulin (ALG) in patients with aplastic anemia (AA).


METHODS
From 1980 to 2000 125 patients with AA were treated with ALG made in Russia. Two and three courses of ALG were performed in 25 and 8 patients, respectively.


RESULTS
The treatment was complicated most often with allergic reactions (AR) observed in 42.4% patients, hemorrhagic syndrome (HS) and infectious complications (IC). Goat ALG was more allergic than rabbit ALG (46.2 vs 34.6%, respectively). If the second course was made with ALG of the same kind, AR occurred in 37.5% patients while ALG of the different kind produced complications only in 11.8% patients. HS was recorded in 37.3% patients, its frequency was unrelated to ALG kind and was not severe (71.2%). IC occurred in 16.5% patients, their occurrence was also unrelated to the ALG kind and were of the first degree in 63.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Domestic ALG often results in AR. To reduce frequency and severity of complications in ALG treatment, it is recommended to use long intravenous infusions (12-18 h) and change ALG kind in subsequent ALG courses.
Ganapiev
A A
AA
Abdulkadyrov
K M
KM
Afanas'ev
B V
BV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents