Immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory diseases

Abstract

Several case studies are presented to illustrate the success of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) therapy in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, chronic anterior uveitis, herpes zoster, and relapsing genital herpes simplex. Hypothetical mechanisms explain the marked improvement of the chronic disorders, with particular emphasis on substitution of specific antibodies. The recently recognized heterogeneity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is explored as one possible explanation for low and high responders to particular antigens. It is suggested that various chronic inflammatory disorders result from ineffective immune responses, and that the administration of IVIG may shift the delicate balance between the pathogen and the host to favor the latter.