[Antiviral activity of commercial immunoglobulin preparations]

Immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use of five different firms--Biotest, Hoechst, Merieux, Sandoz, WWSS--were used for the study. Antibody level for Epstein-Barr, cytomegalia, herpes simplex, varicella-zoster and measles viruses was determined in these preparations stored at 4 degrees C and in order to determine their stability they were tested after incubation at 37 degrees C and 61 degrees C. The influence of immunoglobulin (Bioglobulin and Sandoglobulin) on mouse survival infected with HSV-1 was determined. Results of serological studies revealed differentiated antibody level for particular virus antigens both in various series of a given preparation as well as between immunoglobulins of different producers. Protective activity of immunoglobulin was mainly found when given 24 hours before challenge with HSV-1. This was the case not only when preparations stored at 4 degrees C were given but also for those which were incubated at 37 degrees C for months. Forty percent higher rate of survival of mice as compared to control group was seen when immunoglobulin were given 8 hours after infection.