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Lymphocyte phenotype and function changes in burn patients after intravenous IgG therapy
D G Burleson1, A D Mason, A T McManus
1US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Tex 78234-6200.
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in burn patients reduced B-lymphocyte proportions and altered lymphocyte function. These changes may stem from elevated serum IgG levels post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Burn Injury Treatment
Background:
- Burn injuries significantly impact immune function.
- Standard therapy for burn patients requires immune modulation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) on immune cell phenotype and function in burn patients.
- To compare these effects against standard therapy.
Main Methods:
- Burn patients received IVIg infusions twice weekly for three weeks or until wound closure.
- Immune cell populations (T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes) and lymphocyte function (thymidine incorporation, immunoglobulin secretion) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- IVIg did not alter T-lymphocyte subsets but decreased B-lymphocyte proportion by 40%.
- Lymphocytes from treated patients showed reduced thymidine incorporation with concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen stimulation.
- Secreted IgM increased by 24% in pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cultures from IVIg-treated patients.
Conclusions:
- Prophylactic IVIg in burn patients modulates B-lymphocyte numbers and function.
- Observed immune changes may be attributed to increased serum IgG levels in treated patients.