ABSTRACT
Immunoglobulin preparations, derived from human blood, are important biological agents. They were first used to treat immune deficiency states in 1952. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is purified from the pooled human plasma of 3,000–10,000 healthy donors. Various modifications have been applied to the original technique of obtaining purified commercial IVIg by ethanolic fractionation of plasma. IVIg is used to treat various autoimmune and infectious diseases, e.g. idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and Kawasaki disease. Dermatomyositis is the dermatological disease with the highest level of evidence for treatment with IVIg. Adjuvant therapy with IVIg may be considered for all severe, treatment-resistant forms of autoimmune blistering disease. Although the early administration of IVIg in toxic epidermal necrolysis was reported to reverse the progression of skin disease with a favourable outcome, some controversy remains about its effectiveness. Different preparations of IVIg for IV administration exist, depending on the manufacturer.
