Immunomodulation by hyperimmunoglobulins after solid organ transplantation: beyond prevention of viral infection

Hyperimmunoglobulins are pharmaceutical formulations of human IgG which contain high titres of antibodies against specific viruses. They have been successfully used in solid organ transplantation (SOT) to prevent Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. The introduction of effective and cheaper antiviral drugs has resulted in decreasing usage of hyperimmunoglobulins in SOT. However, it may still be attractive to combine antiviral drug therapy with hyperimmunoglobulins after SOT, as there is some evidence that hyperimmunoglobulins, similar to high doses of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), might exert anti-inflammatory activity and thereby prevent immunological graft damage and improve graft and patient survival.
Source: Transplantation Reviews - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Source Type: research