ABSTRACT
In the mid-1970s, modified fractions of pooled plasma, pH treatment, and chemical modification of IgG reduced protein aggregation. Anaphylactic reactions were reduced. Kistler and Nitschmann modified the Cohn-Oncley fractionation method and obtained preparations not only safe from viruses, but free of protein aggregates (6). At the present time, there are several safe intravenous preparations of human immunoglobulins. In order to understand the benefits and limitations of immunoglobulins in the therapeutic armamentarium of neonatal infections, it is necessary to understand the host defense mechanisms at the disposal of the infant.
