[Indications for intravenous immunoglobulins]

Abstract

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IgIV) are therapeutic preparations of polyclonal human IgG, obtained from a pool of plasma from more than 1000 healthy donors. This article discusses only some of the recognized indications (Group I) and some of those currently under evaluation (Group II) for the treatment of autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases. Perspectives for IgIV use are approached through three diseases, each providing a different model of immune system modulation: ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, where an autoimmune reaction is modulated; alloimmunization of chronic hemodialysis patients, where alloreactivity can be modulated; and streptococcal toxic shock, where anti-infectious immunity may be modulated.