Use of a new, low-pH immunoglobulin G preparation during episodes of bacteremia in the rat.

A rapidly expanding role for immunoglobulin G preparations in conditions other than the classical immunodeficiency syndromes is evident. This relatively new concept of treatment with polyclonal antibody has been tested in the rat with severe Salmonella typhimurium bacteremia with use of a newly developed, native immunoglobulin G preparation for intravenous use (IGIV pH 4.25). IGIV pH 4.25 increased survival time and decreased absolute mortality, prevented hypotension and acidosis, and ameliorated or prevented changes in variables indicative of organ damage during S. typhimurium bacteremia in the rat. Intravenous infusion of IGIV pH 4.25 at high rates did not cause further deterioration in the arterial blood pH in the acid-base-compromised rat and hence should not cause clinically significant decreases in pH in patients with compromised acid-base regulating systems.