The clinical use of intravenous gammaglobulin.

The availability of safe and effective preparations of human immune globulin that can be administered intravenously has revolutionized replacement therapy for patients suffering from hypogammaglobulinaemia. Of equal importance and greater interest, however, has been the recognition that super physiological doses of IgG can manipulate an abnormal immune system. Future prospects for the use of immunoglobulin preparations to supply specific antibodies includes the standardization of procedures, whereby patients with acute sepsis may receive antibiotics and immunoglobulin simultaneously. Already there is in vitro evidence that suggests that opsonized bacteria are more readily affected by aminoglycosides. It seems certain that gamma globulin will be used routinely in the management of patients with a number of immunomalignancies, such as chronic lymphatic leukaemia and multiple myeloma that feature hypogammaglobulinaemia, especially when chemotherapy is being administered. Control trials are underway to determine whether gamma globulin given intravenously to premature babies will satisfactorily correct their immuno-deficient state and improve their chances of survival. The immunomanipulative capacity of immunoglobulin is yet to be fully realized. Success in ideopathic thrombocytopenic purpura had led to a trial of gamma globulin in a number of autoimmune conditions. Success has been reported in myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, patients with circulating antibodies to factor VIII and Kawasaki's disease. The mechanism of action is unknown but almost certainly multifactorial. Two proven mechanisms that will be added to in the future, include blockade of the Fc receptors on cells of the reticulo-endothelial system and manipulation of immunoregulatory T cells by the presence of anti-idiotypic antibodies in the preparation.