[Variable immune deficiency syndrome with antibody deficiency--long-term substitution with immunoglobulins]

We report on our experience with intravenous serum immunoglobulin therapy in five patients with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia. Our results support earlier observations that the immunoglobulin preparations used by us, namely Sandoglobulin and Polyglobin, are both effective in preventing severe infections and free of severe side effects. Essential clinical and laboratory findings of our patients are shown. We also point to the pathogenetic heterogeneity of these diseases as demonstrated by cell marker studies of lymphocyte subpopulations (anti immunoglobulin antisera and monoclonal OKT-antibodies). Finally we show in preliminary kinetic studies that the reduction of serum IgG-levels varies after administration of the same dose of IgG intraindividually in long-term follow-up. Further studies are required to demonstrate whether this variability is due to variable immunoglobulin synthesis and/or variable catabolism or elimination of administered immunoglobulin.