Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on CD4+ lymphocyte decline in HIV-infected children in a clinical trial of IVIG infection prophylaxis. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Intravenous Immunoglobulin Clinical Trial Study Group.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on absolute CD4+ lymphocyte count (CD4+ count) trends in human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV) infected children enrolled in a trial of IVIG for infection prophylaxis. To that end, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, outpatient trial comparing subjects treated with 400 mg per kilogram of IVIG every 28 days with those given 0.1% albumin placebo. CD4+ counts were measured at entry and every 12 weeks. Twenty-eight clinical centers in mainland United States and Puerto Rico participated. Previous reports showed IVIG efficacy for infection prophylaxis in 313 patients with entry CD4+ counts of > or = 0.20 x 10(9)/L (> or = 200/mm3). Two hundred and seventy-seven (89%) of these 313 children had three or more CD4+ counts measured during the trial and were included in evaluation of CD4+ count trends. Rates of CD4+ count decline, as measured by regression slopes, were compared between IVIG and placebo groups using generalized linear models, comparing unadjusted, age-adjusted, and standardized age-adjusted data. Potential covariate effects were assessed by modeling change in CD4+ count in terms of log change between successive measurements. Age-adjusted slope analysis showed slowing of CD4+ count decline by 13.5 cells/mm3 per month in IVIG compared with placebo recipients (95% confidence interval, 3.1-23.9, p = 0.012). Modeling log change between measurements documented a beneficial effect of IVIG that was cumulative over time and independent of other therapies. Occurrence of serious bacterial infection in the interval before CD4+ count measurement or death was independently associated with more rapid CD4+ count decline (p = 0.01 and p = 0.008, respectively). Zidovudine therapy was associated with a transient increase in CD4+ count. Benefits of IVIG include slowing of CD4+ count decline as well as previously reported reductions in serious and minor bacterial and viral infections in subjects with entry CD4+ counts of > or = 0.20 x 10(9)/L. This finding provides corroboration for the hypothesis that immunologic mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of CD4+ decline in HIV infection.