Abstract
SynopsisAlthough active immunisation against infection tends to diminish the usefulness of immunoglobulin a return to passive immunisation may well occur because of the public apathy regarding childhood immunisation schedules, the development of antibiotic resistance and the expanding proportion of patients who are infection prone because of immunosuppression. An assessment of the usefulness and likely demand for immunoglobulin is urgently needed. It does not transmit infection and it is generally free of side-effects when a single dose is injected. Human normal immunoglobulin prevents infectious hepatitis (virus A) and measles and is valuable for hypogammaglobulinaemic patients. Limited supplies of human specific immunoglobulins are available and effective in preventing Rhesushaemolytic disease, in treating the complications of smallpox vaccination, and for tetanus prophylaxis. Hyperimmune material may also become available for the prevention of serum hepatitis (virus B), chickenpox and the rubella syndrome. Problems of administration and supply could prove difficult to overcome. The principles involved in preventing Rhesus-haemolytic disease with immunoglobulin could possibly be applied in the management of auto-immune disease at some future date.
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