[Prophylaxis and therapy with gamma globulin. General characterization and clinical use of gamma globulin...

For accurate evaluation of the usefulness of gamma-globulin treatment, the clinical indications for passive immune prophylaxis and immunotherapy and the specific characteristics of commercially available gamma-globulin preparations have to be considered. Detailed investigations of currently used gamma-globulin preparations have shown that as yet no ideal product is available. Classical standard gamma-globulin and, in particular, enzymatically treated (Gamma-Venin, Veinoglobuline) or chemically modified preparations (Gamma-Globulin i.v. SRK, Intraglobin) for intravenous use have some deficiencies and involve potential risks for the patient. Nor is the infusion of "fresh frozen plasma" a safe and generally applicable alternative to the use of gamma-globulin concentrates. Thus from the outset the preconditions for effective treatment with gamma-globulin are not optimal. Standard and hyperimmune preparations, given once intramuscularly, are suitable for the prophylaxis of viral and bacteriotoxic diseases. In patients apt to react abnormally it is important to distinguish clearly between the few accepted indications and those that are more doubtful. Anti-D immunoglobulin is essential for the prevention of Rhesus sensitization after the delivery of a Rhesus-positive child. In general, gamma-globulin is recommended for substitution therapy and for the prophylaxis of recurrent acute bacterial infections in patients suffering from transient, congenital and acquired antibody-deficiency states. In such cases, high doses of an intravenously administrable preparation with a relatively long biologic half-life are recommended. The evidence for the effectiveness of gamma-globulin treatment of bacterial infections in patients without manifest disturbance of humoral immunity is equivocal. This is true, for example, of the oft-recommended combined use of antibiotics and high doses of intravenous gamma-globulin which is said to provide optimum antibacterial and antitoxic protection. There is even less chance of obtaining beneficial effects if gamma-globulin is given as an "ultimo ratio" in severe generalized bacterial infections resistant to antibiotic treatment. Localized and predominantly chronic infections are barely influenced by gamma-globulin. It is still too early to make a final assessment regarding the place and value of immunoglobulin concentrates for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. This will only be possible if a preparation becomes available which contains all immunoglobulins in a biologically optimum state and concentration, is well tolerated and can be given in adequate doses both intramuscularly and intravenously.