[Various characteristics of intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulins]

Polyvalent human immunoglobulins for intravenous use (GVP) are obtained by fractionating human plasma with ethanol, according to a method in which traces of pepsin at pH4 eliminate any anticomplementary activity. All the analytical tests have come within official requirements. Results of extended tests concerning specificity, potency, immunoglobulin subclass distribution, biological half-life and opsonic function are presented. Since their official release for clinical use on July 1st, 1983, almost 15,000 therapeutic units of 2.5 g of immunoglobulins have been consumed without any reported major side effects. Multicenter clinical trials are being carried out with adults and children. Available results confirm very good tolerance, and, as expected, effectiveness for well known and codified indications.