title: Significant dermatological side effects of intravenous immunoglobulin.
abstract: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is an essential treatment for many neurological, immunological and haematological conditions. However, the severity of its rare adverse effects is often underrecognised. We report a series of 15 patients receiving IVIg for neurological and immunological disorders who developed severe skin reactions. Despite pre-medication, nearly all patients ceased IVIg due to the severity of the adverse response. Interestingly, the majority of patients were male and two-thirds were receiving treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) or another inflammatory or demyelinating neuropathy. This marked propensity for male patients with CIDP to develop significant dermatological reactions following IVIg administration has not previously been described. Mechanisms involving the underlying autoimmunity inherent to this condition may play a role.
authors: Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Carrie B
authors: CB
authors: Hurelbrink
authors: Judith M
authors: JM
authors: Spies
authors: Con
authors: C
authors: Yiannikas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000188:drug therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
keywords: Adverse effects; Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy; Intravenous immunoglobulin; Skin reaction