Anest. intenziv. Med. 2012;23(6):300-306

Current position and use of intravenous immunoglobulins not only in intensive care medicineReview Article

Průcha Miroslav^1,*, Zazula Roman², Sedláčková Lenka¹

¹ Oddělení klinické biochemie, hematologie a imunologie, Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha

² Anesteziologicko-resuscitační klinika 1. LF UK v Praze a Thomayerovy nemocnice, Praha

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are one of the corner stones of innate immunity. Their main role is to maintain homeostasis: defence against infection and prevention of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Identification of the physiological role of antibodies stimulated the efforts to use them in therapy, which resulted in their use as intravenous immunoglobulins i.e. IVIG. There are two mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of IVIG: substitution and immunomodulation. The substitution effect takes place in primary immunodeficiencieswhich show impairment of antibody forming capacity. Their immunomodulatory properties are effective in autoimmune and tumor diseases. We present an overview of current knowledge of mechanisms of action of IVIG, their recognized indications in clinical practice, as well as their role and the ongoing debate about their benefits in the treatment of sepsis.

Keywords: immunoglobulins; antibodies; innate imunity; IVIG; infection; autoimmunity

Received: July 27, 2012; Accepted: October 1, 2012; Published: December 1, 2012  Show citation