Effect of Induction Therapy Protocols on Transplant Outcomes in Crossmatch Positive Renal Allograft Recipients Desensitized with IVIG

Here we retrospectively examine the efficacy of two antibody induction regimens using Zenapax or Thymoglobulin in patients with positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches (CDC-CMXs) desensitized with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). Between January 1999 and March 2005, 97 patients with (+) CDC-CMXs received kidney transplants (43 deceased donors/54 living donors). All patients received at least 2 g/kg IVIG (maximum four doses) until an acceptable CMX was obtained. Patients were divided into two groups: 1. IVIG + Zenapax (n = 58), 2. IVIG + Thymoglobulin (n = 39). A total of 94% of patients in Group 1 and 84% in G2 have at least 2 years of follow up. Patient and graft survival was 96%/84% in Group 1 and 100%/90% in Group 2, p = NS. The number and severity of AR episodes were similar (36% Group 1 vs. 31% Group 2, p = NS) as was the incidence of C4d (+) antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (Banff Grade II/III) (22% Group 1 vs. 21% Group 2). Mean serum creatinines (SCrs) at 24 months were similar (Group 1: 1.4 +/- 0.7 vs. G2: 1.5 +/- 0.7 mg/dL). Induction therapy with Zenapax or Thymoglobulin results in excellent patient, graft survival and graft function at 2 years. There was no increased risk of viral infections or malignancies with either agent. Neither agent was effective in reducing the incidence of AMR.     

Intravenous Gammaglobulin (IVIG): A Novel Approach to Improve Transplant Rates and Outcomes in Highly HLA-Sensitized Patients

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products are derived from pooled human plasma and have been used for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders for more than 24 years. Shortly after their introduction, IVIG products were also found to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Over the past 2 decades, the list of diseases where IVIG has a demonstrable beneficial effect has grown rapidly. These include Kawasaki disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, dermatomyositis and demyelinating polyneuropathy. Recently, we have described a beneficial effect on the reduction of anti-HLA antibodies with subsequent improvement in transplantation of highly HLA-sensitized patients as well as a potent anti-inflammatory effect that is beneficial in the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). These advancements have enabled transplantation of patients previously considered untransplantable. These studies and relevant mechanism(s) of action will be discussed here.     

The Effect of Desensitization Protocols on Human Splenic B-Cell Populations In Vivo

Rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) all have been suggested to have an effect on antibody producing cells, however, supporting data are lacking. To assess the impact of these agents on splenic B‐cell populations in vivo, we retrospectively examined 25 spleens removed from patients treated with these agents as part of desensitization protocols in either ABO incompatible or positive crossmatch living donor kidney transplantation. These were compared to control (CTL) spleens removed for trauma. CTLs and spleens removed at transplant after multiple pretransplant plasmaphereses (PP) plus low‐dose IVIG showed similar large numbers of naïve B cells (CD20⁺ and CD79⁺), plasma cells (CD138⁺) and memory B cells (CD27⁺ cells). Adding rituximab to this PP/IVIG regimen reduced the number naïve B cells, but had no effect on memory or plasma cells. Combination treatment (PP/IVIG, rituximab and rATG) showed a trend toward the reduction of CD27⁺ cells, but again plasma cells were unchanged. We conclude that none of these protocols reduces splenic plasma cells in vivo. PP/low‐dose IVIG does not alter splenic B cells, but the addition of rituximab decreases mature B cells. Memory B cells may be affected by combination therapy including rATG and requires further study.     

Pemphigus vulgaris: the role of IL-1 and IL-1 receptor antagonist in pathogenesis and effects of intravenous immunoglobulin on their production

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is increasingly being used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In the present report, the role of IVIG on in vivo and in vitro production of IL-1 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (Ra) was studied in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Serum samples from 20 untreated patients with active PV prior to initiation of systemic therapy, 20 patients receiving IVIG treatment, 20 patients in clinical remission after conventional therapy, and 20 normal human controls were studied to determine the serum levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra. The in vitro production of these cytokines was measured in the culture supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 10 PV patients immediately before and after IVIG therapy and from age and sex-matched 10 healthy donors simultaneously. Elevated levels of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta were detected (i) in the serum of untreated PV patients with active disease prior to systemic therapy and (ii) before IVIG infusions in patients receiving IVIG therapy. These increased levels are statistically significant when compared to the levels in healthy controls (P < 0.01). A marked reduction of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta was detected (i) in the serum of patients in prolonged clinical remission and (ii) immediately after IVIG infusion in those patients on IVIG therapy. Increased level of IL-1Ra was detected in PV patients in prolonged clinical remission and after IVIG infusion in those receiving IVIG therapy. These differences were statistically significant when compared to the levels in normal controls and to the levels in the sera of patients with active disease (P < 0.01) or just before the beginning of IVIG infusion (P < 0.01). Similar differences in the levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra were found in the culture supernatant of PBMC isolated from the PV patients pre and post IVIG therapy. These observations suggests that, compared to normal controls, patients with active PV have reversed levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra. IVIG therapy may down-regulate production of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta and enhance production of IL-1Ra, in vivo and in vitro. This might be one of the important mechanisms by which IVIG produces its early therapeutic effects in pemphigus vulgaris.     

Severe Neutropenia in Japanese Patients with X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is clinically characterized by recurrent bacterial infections during early infancy. Although it is not a phagocytic disorder, XLA is sometimes associated with neutropenia. We conducted a nation-wide survey to determine the frequency of neutropenia among Japanese XLA patients. Responses were received from 87 (86%) of 101 patients in which BTK mutations were previously identified, and of these, 16 (18%) had neutropenia. All episodes of neutropenia occurred before initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement therapy. Two XLA patients died of multiple organ failure caused by severe neutropenia and Pseudomonas sepsis before initiation of IVIG replacement therapy. These results suggest that, in some cases, severe bacterial infections in XLA patients might be caused not only by antibody deficiencies but also by neutropenia.     

Comparison of two types of intravenous immunoglobulins in the treatment of neonatal sepsis.

In a prospective double-blind study, standard intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was compared with an IgM-enriched IVIG in the treatment of neonatal sepsis. The two treatment groups were also compared with matched controls. One hundred and thirty babies (65 in each group) ranging from 0 to 24 days old, 480 to 4200 g in weight and born between 24 and 42 weeks of gestation who had, or were suspected of having, sepsis were given either standard IVIG or IgM-enriched IVIG (250 mg/kg per day) for 4 days in addition to supportive and antibiotic therapy. A further 65 babies who received similar supportive, antibiotic and fluids but not IVIG were used as matched controls. Mortality from infection in 'culture proven sepsis' was 3/44 (6.8%) in the IgM-enriched IVIG group, 6/42 (14.2%) in the standard IVIG group, and 11/43 (25.5%) in the control group (P = 0.017, IgM versus control, P = 0.19 standard IVIG versus control). There was no statistical difference in the outcome between the two immunoglobulin therapy groups (P = 0.25). The study indicates that IVIG improves outcome in neonatal sepsis when used as an adjunct to supportive and antibiotic therapy, but larger studies are required to confirm this.     

Synergistic convergence of microbiota-specific systemic IgG and secretory IgA

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儿童特发性血小板减少性紫癜抗核抗体、血小板生成素特征与治疗方案

目的：探讨特发性血小板减少性紫癜（ITP）患儿的抗核抗体（ANA）阳性率、血小板生成素（TPO）水平以及对激素与激素＋IVIG治疗效果的分析．为临床提供辅助诊断依据及指导治疗。方法：采用全自动血细胞分析仪进行血小板计数，骨髓细胞彩色图文分析系统对巨核细胞进行人工分类计数．ELISA法检测TPO水平，采用金标免疫斑点试剂盒对ANA进行定性检测。结果：急慢性ITP儿童抗核抗体阳性率高于正常对照组．抗核抗体阳性与阴性的ITP患儿治疗前后PLT、TPO无显著性差异；与正常对照组比较，急慢性ITP儿童PLT水平低于正常．巨核细胞数量高于正常，TPO水平无显著性差异；在治疗方面，激素与激素＋IVIG两种方法治疗后PLT水平有显著性差异。结论：急慢性ITP儿童由抗核抗体阳性与阴性治疗前后PLT、TPO水平无变化推测抗核搞体阳性与阳性治疗前后PLT、TPO水平无变化推测抗核抗体阳性仅仅是一种伴随现象。TPO水平受到血小板和巨核细胞数量的双重调控。在治疗方面．激素＋IVIG优于单用激素。     

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目的探讨首次丙种球蛋白静脉注射(IVIG)无反应性川崎病(KD)的发生率及危险因素,及其再治疗方法的选择。方法总结2000—2004年北京45家医院KD患儿的临床资料,IVIG无反应性定义为首次IVIG治疗36h后体温仍超过38·5℃。结果1107例患儿纳入研究对象,1092例有急性期治疗资料,1052例(96·3%)接受IVIG治疗,135例对首次IVIG治疗无反应,发生率12·8%(135/1052)。Logistic回归分析发现血沉、GPT、WBC、发病至用IVIG的时间、血浆白蛋白及IVIG治疗剂量,是IVIG无反应性的独立危险因素(P<0·05)。对IVIG无反应者8例给第2剂2g/kg IVIG,5例热退;114例给1g/kg剂量IVIG治疗,35例(30·7%)热退;11例给400~600mg/kg IVIG,1例(9·1%)热退;2例给糖皮质激素,2例均热退。4种再治疗方法间比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0·015)。第2剂2g/kg IVIG治疗较其它再治疗所需进一步IVIG或激素治疗次数少,体温恢复快。结论约12·8%KD患儿对初次IVIG治疗无反应。血沉、WBC和GPT、血浆白蛋白、IVIG使用方法及起病至用IVIG的时间,是IVIG无反应的独立危险因素。对初次IVIG无反应患儿推荐使用第2剂2g/kgIVIG,对2次2g/kgIVIG治疗仍无效者可以选用糖皮质激素治疗。     

静脉丙种球蛋白无反应性川崎病的治疗及危险因素分析

目的探讨首次丙种球蛋白静脉注射(IVIG)无反应性川崎病(KD)的发生率及危险因素，及其再治疗方法的选择。 方法总结2000—2004年北京45家医院KD患儿的临床资料，IVIG无反应性定义为首次IVIG治疗36h后体温仍超过38.5℃。 结果1107例患儿纳入研究对象，1092例有急性期治疗资料，1052例(96.3%)接受IVIG治疗，135例对首次IVIG治疗无反应，发生率12.8%(135/1052)。Logistic回归分析发现血沉、GPT、WBC、发病至用IVIG的时间、血浆白蛋白及IVIG治疗剂量，是IVIG无反应性的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。对IVIG无反应者8例给第2剂2g/kg IVIG，5例热退；114例给1g/kg剂量IVIG治疗，35例(30.7%)热退；11例给400~600mg/kg IVIG，1例(9.1%)热退；2例给糖皮质激素，2例均热退。4种再治疗方法间比较，差异有统计学意义(P=0.015)。第2剂2g/kg IVIG治疗较其它再治疗所需进一步IVIG或激素治疗次数少，体温恢复快。 结论约12.8%KD患儿对初次IVIG治疗无反应。血沉、WBC和GPT、血浆白蛋白、IVIG使用方法及起病至用IVIG的时间，是IVIG无反应的独立危险因素。对初次IVIG无反应患儿推荐使用第2剂2g/kgIVIG，对2次2g/kg IVIG治疗仍无效者可以选用糖皮质激素治疗。