title: Evidence for the use of intravenous immunoglobulins--a review of the literature.
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) were first introduced in the middle of the twentieth century for the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies. In 1981, Paul Imbach noticed an improvement of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, in patients receiving IVIg for immunodeficiencies. This opened a new era for the treatment of autoimmune conditions with IVIg. Since then, IVIg has become an important treatment option in a wide spectrum of diseases, including autoimmune and acute inflammatory conditions, most of them off-label (not included in the US Food and Drug Administration recommendation). A panel of immunologists and internists with experience in IVIg therapy reviewed the medical literature for published data concerning treatment with IVIg. The quality of evidence was assessed, and a summary of the available relevant literature in each disease was given. To our knowledge, this is the first all-inclusive comprehensive review, developed to assist the clinician when considering the use of IVIg in autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and other conditions.
authors: Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Shaye
authors: S
authors: Kivity
authors: Uriel
authors: U
authors: Katz
authors: Natalie
authors: N
authors: Daniel
authors: Udi
authors: U
authors: Nussinovitch
authors: Neophytos
authors: N
authors: Papageorgiou
authors: Yehuda
authors: Y
authors: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous