Abstract

Four highly sensitized patients awaiting thoracic organ transplantation were treated immediately preceding transplantation with 1 plasmapheresis and infusion of high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). All 4 underwent successful surgery and have had minor to no rejection episodes over a range from 5 1/2 to 12 months. All panel reactive antibodies (PRA) were dithiotheitol (DTT) resistant, and 1 patient had IgG specific alloantibodies to a donor alloantigen. All 4 patients had positive donor cross matches prior to transplantation, and 3 of the 4 patients remained PRA negative for up to 9 months after allografting. Possible mechanisms of this therapy include inhibition of proliferating alloreactive B cells or suppression by antiidiotypic antibodies. Further study is warranted.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.