Safety and efficacy of a monomeric, functionally intact intravenous IgG preparation in patients with primary immunodeficiency syndromes.

Results of an open, phase II clinical trial on therapy with an iv IgG preparation in patients with primary antibody-deficiency syndromes are reported. Three hundred infusions of the product, an intact monomeric IgG preparation, were given to 16 patients for an average of 14 (+/- 0.7) months, the dose being 220 (+/- 26.9) mg/kg/month. Only two minor adverse reactions occurred. This preparation did not produce transient leukopenia on infusion. Preinfusion serum IgG levels increased continuously in the course of treatment (average values: 325 +/- 51 at the beginning of therapy, 438 +/- 59 at 6 months, 568 +/- 75 at 12 months, 631 +/- 52 at the end of treatment). The infusions were well accepted and well tolerated by the patients, and the clinical efficacy was highly superior to intramuscular immunoglobulin.