Human inmmunoglobulin in primary immunodeficiencies

Abstract

Human immunoglobulin replacement therapy has become a corner- stone in the treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID). Currently indicated as first-line therapy for predominantly antibody deficiencies, severe combined immunodeficiencies, and some well-defined syndromes with immunodeficiencies, it is also indicated as adjunct therapy in many other PID. Although considered a high-cost medication, elegant studies had showed that patients correctly treated with human immunoglobulin replacement therapy result in lower costs derived from their health- attention. Major benefits of immunoglobulin replacement therapy include but are not restricted to: protection against infectious processes, organ damage progression-arrest, immune modulation and quality-of-life improvement. Two modalities of treatment are currently used, intravenous and subcutaneous, each has clear advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other, which are presented in this article. The correct use of human immunoglobulin for the treatment of patients with PID translates in better medical-practices improving survival and quality of life of affected patients