IVIG Group Research Articles

Acute and chronic ocular outcomes in SJS/TEN patients treated with oral ciclosporin vs intravenous immunoglobulin.

To evaluate differences in ocular complications of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) patients receiving either systemic IVIG or Ciclosporin (CsA) as initial treatments. Retrospective review of consecutive patients admitted for SJS/TEN at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) from 2011 to 2017 who received either IVIG or Ciclosporin at the onset of the disease and had ophthalmological follow-up of at least 6 months were included. Acute ocular severity of SJS/TEN was graded using the Gregory grading score; chronic ocular complications were graded using the Sotozono system. A total of 18 subjects were included for analysis, with eight in the IVIG group and 10 in the CsA group. There were no significant differences in acute Gregory severity grading between the two groups. The CsA group had a trend towards worse overall chronic Sotozono grading scores compared to the IVIG group (median [IQR]: 2 [0-3] vs. 1 [0-6.5], p = 0.27), with a higher incidence of acute severe cornea involvement (60% vs. 25%, p = 0.93) and chronic corneal and eyelid involvement in the former than the latter. SJS/TEN patients with worse acute ocular involvement were more likely to have TEN and perianal mucosal involvement (50% vs. 0, p = 0.01). Compared to those who received IVIG, SJS/TEN patients who received CsA at the acute disease stage, seemed to have worse acute corneal and chronic corneal and eyelid complications. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Case-Control Study of Individuals With Small Fiber Neuropathy After COVID-19.

To report a case-control study of new-onset small fiber neuropathy (SFN) after COVID-19 with invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET). SFN is a critical objective finding in long COVID and amenable to treatment. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients seen in the NeuroCOVID Clinic at Yale who developed new-onset SFN after a documented COVID-19 illness. We collected demographics, symptoms, skin biopsy, iCPET testing, treatments, and clinical response to treatment or no intervention. Sixteen patients were diagnosed with SFN on skin biopsy (median age 47, 75% female, 75% White). 92% of patients reported postexertional malaise characteristic of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and 7 patients underwent iCPET, which demonstrated neurovascular dysregulation and dysautonomia consistent with ME/CFS. Nine patients underwent treatment with IVIG, and 7 were not treated with IVIG. The IVIG group experienced significant clinical response in their neuropathic symptoms (9/9) compared with those who did not receive IVIG (3/7; p = 0.02). Here, we present preliminary evidence that after COVID-19, SFN is responsive to treatment with IVIG and linked with neurovascular dysregulation and dysautonomia on iCPET. A larger clinical trial is indicated to further demonstrate the clinical utility of IVIG in treating postinfectious SFN. This study provides Class III evidence. It is a retrospective cohort study.

Cardiac assessment and inflammatory markers in children with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV2 (PIMS-TS) treated with methylprednisolone versus intravenous immunoglobulins: 6-month follow-up outcomes of the randomised controlled Swissped RECOVERY trial

Previous findings from the Swissped RECOVERY trial showed that patients with Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome-Temporally Associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) who were randomly assigned to intravenous immunoglobulins or methylprednisolone have a comparable length of hospital stay. Here, we report the 6-month follow-up outcomes of cardiac pathologies and normalisation of clinical or laboratory signs of inflammation from this study population. This pre-planned follow-up of patients with PIMS-TS included the Swissped RECOVERY Trial reports on the 6-month outcomes of the cohort after randomisation, with a focus on cardiac, haematological, and biochemical findings. The trial was an investigator-initiated randomised multicentre open-label two-arm trial in children and adolescents hospitalised with PIMS-TS at ten hospitals in Switzerland. Cardiological assessments and laboratory analyses were prospectively collected in the intention-to-treat analysis on pre-defined intervals after hospital discharge. Differences between randomised arms were investigated using Chi-square test for categorical and Wilcoxon test for continuous variables. The trial is registered with the Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (SNCTP000004720) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04826588). Between May 21, 2021 and April 15, 2022, 75 patients with a median age of 9.1 years (IQR 6.2-12.2) were included in the intention-to-treat population (37 in the methylprednisolone group and 38 in the intravenous immunoglobulin group). During follow-up, the incidence of abnormal left ventricular systolic function, coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), and other signs of inflammation were comparable in both groups. However, we detected cardiac abnormalities with low incidence and a mild degree grade of pathology. CAAs were observed in 2/38 children (5.3%) in the IVIG group and 1/37 children (2.7%) in the methylprednisolone group at 6-month follow-up (difference proportion 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI)-0.05 to 1.0; p=0.39). Methylprednisolone alone may be an acceptable first-line treatment as left ventricular systolic dysfunction and clinical/laboratory evidence for inflammation quickly resolved in all children. However, our findings need further confirmation through larger studies as our sample size is likely to be of insufficient power to address rare clinically relevant adverse outcomes. NOMIS, Vontobel, and Gaydoul Foundation.

Effectiveness of Plasmapheresis and IVIG in the Treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Background: Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are the most effective treatments for Guillain-Barre syndrome; both can improve patients' symptoms. However, limited clinical research is available in Bangladesh to compare the effectiveness of both treatment modalities. Aims: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of plasmapheresis and IVIG in the treatment of Guillain Barre Syndrome. Method: It is a prospective analytical study carried out in the ICU at the Department of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative & Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, and Transfusion Medicine Department, NINS. Study subjects were patients with GBS, irrespective of gender, race, ethnic group, and age. For this study, they were divided into Group A (treated by IVIG) and Group B (treated by plasmapheresis). The clinical outcome & disability grade were evaluated and compared between groups. Result: In this study plasmapheresis was associated with more improvement compared to IVIg, moreover there was a significant difference in the disability scores between the two groups after 12 weeks of treatment. Group B with plasmapheresis had a significantly lower mean disability score (1.26 ± 0.06) compared to Group A with IVIg (3.05 ± 0.17) with a p-value of 0.011 At presentation and immediate post-therapy, there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of MRC grade. However, at the later time points (6 and 12 weeks), Group B (plasmapheresis) was associated with a statistically significant improvement in MRC grade compared to Group A (IVIg). Specifically, at six weeks, the mean MRC grade was 3.18 for Group A and 4.04 for Group B (p=0.038), and at 12 weeks, the mean MRC grade was 3.52 for Group A and 4.87 for Group B (p=0.019). The mechanical ventilation rate was higher in IVIg (51.4% vs 14.2%, respectively) group. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.017). The proportion of individuals with complete recovery was significantly higher in Group B (60%) compared to Group A (22.8%) with an odds ratio of 5.06 (95% CI: 1.79-14.31) and a risk ratio of 1.959 (95% CI: 1.24-3.01). The proportion of individuals with residual deficit was significantly lower in plasmapheresis (25.71%) compared to Group A (57.1%) with an odds ratio of 3.85 (95% CI: 1.40-10.59) and a risk ratio of 2.22 (95% CI: 1.18-4.18), and this was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of individuals who died between the two groups, with a p-value of 0.530. Conclusions: In point of comparison, plasmapheresis has a potential benefit over intravenous immunoglobulin. Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2023; 11 (2): 95-102

Assessment of antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies receiving treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin

Antibodies to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been reported in pooled healthy donor plasma and intravenous immunoglobulin products (IVIG). It is not known whether administration of IVIG increases circulating anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (COVID ab) in IVIG recipients. COVID ab against the receptor binding domain of the spike protein were analyzed using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) both receiving and not receiving IVIG (IVIG and non-IVIG group, respectively). No significant differences in COVID ab levels were noted between IVIG and non-IVIG groups (417 [67–1342] AU/mL in IVIG vs 5086 [43–40,442] AU/mL in non-IVIG, p = 0.11). In linear regression models including all post-vaccination patient samples, higher number of vaccine doses was strongly associated with higher COVID ab levels (2.85 [1.21, 4.48] log AU/mL, regression coefficient beta [95% CI], p = 0.001), while use of RTX was associated with lower ab levels (2.73 [− 4.53, − 0.93] log AU/mL, beta[95%CI], p = 0.004). In the IVIG group, higher total monthly doses of IVIG were associated with slightly higher COVID ab levels (0.02 [0.002–0.05] log AU/mL, p = 0.04). While patients on IVIG did not have higher COVID ab levels compared to the non-IVIG group, higher monthly doses of IVIG were associated with higher circulating levels of COVID ab in patients receiving IVIG, particularly in patients concomitantly receiving RTX. Our findings suggest that IIM patients, especially those at increased risk of COVID infection and worse COVID outcomes due to RTX therapy may have protective benefits when on concurrent IVIG treatment.

The Effect of Biologics in the Treatment of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (Mis-C): A Single-Center Propensity-Score-Matched Study.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious condition characterized by excessive inflammation that can arise as a complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. While our understanding of COVID-19 and MIS-C has been advancing, there is still uncertainty regarding the optimal treatment for MIS-C. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory outcomes of MIS-C patients treated with IVIG plus corticosteroids (CS) to those treated with IVIG plus CS and an additional biologic drug. We used the propensity score (PS)-matching method to assess the relationships between initial treatment and outcomes. The primary outcome was a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 55% on day 2 or beyond and/or the requirement of inotrope support on day 2 or beyond. We included 79 MIS-C patients (median age 8.51 years, 33 boys) followed in our center. Among them, 50 children (25 in each group) were allocated to the PS-matched cohort sample. The primary outcome was observed in none of the patients in the IVIG and CS group, while it occurred in eight patients in the IVIG plus CS and biologic group (p = 0.04). MIS-C is a disorder that may progress rapidly and calls for extensive care. For definitive recommendations, further studies, including randomized control trials, are required.

Primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: maternal and neonatal outcomes

Aim: To evaluate clinical characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Materials and methods: All pregnant women with ITP who had undergone antenatal follow-up and delivery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a referral center, between 2011 and 2021, were retrospectively investigated. Patients were evaluated in three groups according to antenatal treatment modality. Results: 42 pregnant women with ITP were included in the study. A total of 29 (%69) pregnant womenhad been diagnosed with ITP before pregnancy and 13(%31) were diagnosed during pregnancy. 17 (%41) pregnant women did not receive any antenatal treatment, and 25 (%59) pregnant women receieved treatment. Postpartum haemorrhage (%50) was reported more frequently in the steroids+IVIG group. A total of 42 pregnancies, 43 babies (one twin pregnancy, 41 singletons) were liveborn. Three neonates (%7) had thrombocytopenia and one of them had intracranial haemorrhage. Conclusions: In pregnancies complicated with ITP, the platelet count is moderately or severely low, which can have adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Postpartum haemorrhage is a significant cause of maternal morbidity in cases with ITP. Therefore, pregnant women with ITP should be delivered in facilities that can adequately manage postpartum haemorrhage.

High-dose Steroids Versus Standard Treatment for Myasthenic Crisis

Background: Previous literature revealed the possible benefit of high-dose steroids in myasthenic crises. Steroids are more economical than standard therapy, especially in resource-poor settings. More data are therefore needed about the utility of steroids for the myasthenic crisis. Objective: The outcomes were compared between standard therapy (intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIg] or plasmapheresis [PLEX]) and high-dose steroid (intravenous methylprednisolone) for the myasthenic crisis. The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay. The secondary outcomes were the length of intubation, intensive care unit stay, readmission rate due to crisis, posttreatment muscle score, and mortality. Methodology: This study was a single-center, longitudinal, 12-year retrospective study. Sixty-five patients were analyzed. A comparison of means was made between the outcomes of the two groups. Regression analysis was done for hospital stay and intubation outcomes. Side effects of treatment were determined. Results: Shorter hospital stay (P = 0.001), shorter intubation length (P = 0.000), and shorter intensive care (P = 0.000) were observed in the steroid group. Mortality (P = 0.187) and muscle score (P = 0.281) were comparable between the two groups. There was a trend toward lesser readmission (P = 0.097) and longer time to readmission (P = 0.069) in the standard therapy group. The IVIg group had arrhythmias, hypotension, headache, renal impairment, and hypomagnesemia. The PLEX group had hypotension and lower limb pain. The steroid group had hyperglycemia, insomnia, infection, stomach upset, facial flushing, myopathy, and sudden death. No acute worsening of the myasthenia crisis was seen in all patients in the steroid arm. Conclusion: Data on hospital stay, intensive care days, and intubation length were better with high-dose steroids. Mortality and motor outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Readmission rates due to crisis were lower in the standard therapy group.

Conversion to mTOR-Inhibitors Plus IV Immunoglobulins in Kidney-Transplant Recipients with BKV Infection: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

BK virus-associated nephropathy (PvAN) increases the risk of graft failure justifying treatment. Conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) and Human polyclonal immunoglobulins (IVIg) could prevent the risk of PvAN. Our retrospective study assessed the efficacy of mTORi associated with IVIg therapy (mTORi±IVIg group) versus standard immunosuppression reduction to clear BKV DNAemia. Among forty-three kidney-transplanted patients with positive BKV DNAemia, we included twenty-six patients in the mTORi±IVIg group and reduced immunosuppression therapy for seventeen patients. We focused on BKV DNAemia clearance on the first-year. Renal function, rejection rate, evolution to PvAN, and complications of immunosuppression were assessed. BKV DNAemia decreased faster and significantly in the control group as compared to the mTORi±IVIg group (p < 0.001). Viral clearance was significantly higher in the control group compared to the mTORi±IVIg group (88% vs. 58%; p = 0.033). Death-censored graft loss, rejection rates and kidney-graft function at 12 months did not significantly differ. Multivariate analyses significantly associated BKV DNAemia clearance with reducing immunosuppression (OR = 0.11 (0.06-0.9), p = 0.045), female kidney donor (OR = 0.10 (0.01-0.59/)], p = 0.018) and time to first DNAemia, (OR = 0.88 (0.76-0.96), p = 0.019). In our study, the standard treatment for BKV DNAemia had better outcomes than an mTORi±IVIg conversion.

Trial of Intravenous Immune Globulin in Dermatomyositis

BackgroundIntravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for the treatment of dermatomyositis has not been extensively evaluated.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with active dermatomyositis. The patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive IVIG at a dose of 2.0 g per kilogram of body weight or placebo every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. The patients who received placebo and those without confirmed clinical deterioration while receiving IVIG could enter an open-label extension phase for another 24 weeks. The primary end point was a response, defined as a Total Improvement Score (TIS) of at least 20 (indicating at least minimal improvement) at week 16 and no confirmed deterioration up to week 16. The TIS is a weighted composite score reflecting the change in a core set of six measures of myositis activity over time; scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater improvement. Key secondary end points included at least moderate improvement (TIS ≥40) and major improvement (TIS ≥60), and change in score on the Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index.ResultsA total of 95 patients underwent randomization: 47 patients were assigned to the IVIG group, and 48 to the placebo group. At 16 weeks, 79% of the patients in the IVIG group (37 of 47) and 44% of those in the placebo group (21 of 48) had a TIS of at least 20 (difference, 35 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 17 to 53; P<0.001). The results with respect to the secondary end points, including at least moderate improvement and major improvement, were generally in the same direction as the results of the primary end-point analysis, except for the change in creatine kinase level (an individual core measure of the TIS), which did not differ meaningfully between the two groups. Over 40 weeks, 282 treatment-related adverse events occurred in the IVIG group, including headache (in 42% of patients), pyrexia (in 19%), and nausea (in 16%). A total of 9 serious adverse events that were considered to be related to IVIG occurred, including 6 thromboembolic events.ConclusionsIn this 16-week trial involving adults with dermatomyositis, the percentage of patients with a response of at least minimal improvement based on a composite score of disease activity was significantly greater among those who received IVIG than among those who received placebo. IVIG was associated with adverse events, including thromboembolism. (Funded by Octapharma Pharmazeutika; ProDERM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02728752.)

Neuroimaging analyses from a randomized, controlled study to evaluate plasma exchange with albumin replacement in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease: additional results from the AMBAR study

PurposeThis study was designed to detect structural and functional brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (PE) with albumin replacement, as part of the recent AMBAR phase 2b/3 clinical trial.MethodsMild-to-moderate AD patients were randomized into four arms: three arms receiving PE with albumin (one with low-dose albumin, and two with low/high doses of albumin alternated with IVIG), and a placebo (sham PE) arm. All arms underwent 6 weeks of weekly conventional PE followed by 12 months of monthly low-volume PE. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric analyses and regional and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) were performed.ResultsMRI analyses (n = 198 patients) of selected subcortical structures showed fewer volume changes from baseline to final visit in the high albumin + IVIG treatment group (p < 0.05 in 3 structures vs. 4 to 9 in other groups). The high albumin + IVIG group showed no statistically significant reduction of right hippocampus. SPM 18FDG-PET analyses (n = 213 patients) showed a worsening of metabolic activity in the specific areas affected in AD (posterior cingulate, precuneus, and parieto-temporal regions). The high-albumin + IVIG treatment group showed the greatest metabolic stability over the course of the study, i.e., the smallest percent decline in metabolism (MaskAD), and least progression of defect compared to placebo.ConclusionsPE with albumin replacement was associated with fewer deleterious changes in subcortical structures and less metabolic decline compared to the typical of the progression of AD. This effect was more marked in the group treated with high albumin + IVIG.Trial registration(AMBAR trial registration: EudraCT#: 2011–001,598-25; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01561053).

IVIG plus Glucocorticoids versus IVIG Alone in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background There is limited information available regarding the management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the optimal treatment using IVIG alone versus IVIG plus glucocorticoids. Methods PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched along with other secondary searches. Studies published within the time frame of January 2020 to August 2021 were included. We screened records, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the studies using NOS. Studies that directly compare the two treatment groups were included. Analyses were conducted using the random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird analysis) if I2 > 50% and fixed-effects model was used if I2 < 50%. Results We included three studies in the final quantitative analysis. The initial therapy with the IVIG plus glucocorticoids group significantly lowered the risk of treatment failure (OR 0.57, 95% CI (0.42, 0.79), I2 45.36%) and the need for adjunctive immunomodulatory therapy (OR 0.27, 95% CI (0.20, 0.37), I2 0.0%). The combination therapy showed no significant reduction in occurrence of left ventricular dysfunction (OR 0.79, 95% CI (0.34, 1.87), I2 58.44%) and the need for inotropic support (OR 0.83, 95% CI (0.35, 1.99), I2 75.40%). Conclusion This study supports the use of IVIG with glucocorticoids compared to IVIG alone, as the combination therapy significantly lowered the risk of treatment failure and the need for adjunctive immunomodulatory therapy.

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for COVID-19 ARDS

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for COVID-19 ARDS

IgM Deficiency in Autoimmune Blistering Mucocutaneous Diseases Following Various Treatments: Long Term Follow-Up and Relevant Observations.

IgM deficiency has been reported in patients with many autoimmune diseases treated with Rituximab (RTX). It has not been studied, in detail, in autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases (AIMBD). Our objectives were: (i) Examine the dynamics of IgM levels in patients with and without RTX. (ii) Influence of reduced serum IgM levels on clinical and laboratory parameters. (iii) Explore the possible molecular and cellular basis for reduced serum IgM levels. This retrospective study that was conducted in a single-center from 2000 to 2020. Serial IgM levels were studied in 348 patients with five AIMBD (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid) and found decreased in 55 patients treated with RTX, IVIG, and conventional immunosuppressive therapy (CIST). Hence the incidence of decreased serum IgM is low. The incidence of decreased IgM in patients treated with RTX was 19.6%, in patients treated with IVIG and CIST, it was 52.8% amongst the 55 patients. IgM levels in the post-RTX group were statistically significantly different from the IVIG group (p<0.018) and CIST group (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in other clinical and laboratory measures. Decreased serum IgM did not affect depletion or repopulation of CD19+ B cells. Patients in the three groups achieved clinical and serological remission, in spite of decreased IgM levels. Decrease in IgM was isolated, since IgG and IgA were normal throughout the study period. Decreased IgM persisted at the same level, while the patients were in clinical remission, for several years. In spite of persistent decreased IgM levels, the patients did not develop infections, tumors, other autoimmune diseases, or warrant hospitalization. Studies on IgM deficiency in knockout mice provided valuable insights. There is no universally accepted mechanism that defines decreased IgM levels in AIMBD. The data is complex, multifactorial, sometimes contradictory, and not well understood. Nonetheless, data in this study provides novel information that enhances our understanding of the biology of IgM in health and disease.

Recent Experience: Corticosteroids as a First-line Therapy in Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome and COVID-19-related Myocardial Damage.

Cardiovascular complications with myocarditis in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection have been reported, but the optimal therapeutic strategy remains unknown. A retrospective cohort study included 19 patients with acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with MIS-C, average years of age 13.2 ± 3.8, treated from April 2020 to April 2021. Treatment failure (TF) was observed in 8 patients (in the intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG] group 7/10; in the corticosteroid [CS] group 1/9). The independent risk factor for TF was IVIG treatment (odds ratio [OR] 18.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-222.93, P = 0.02). Patients initially treated with CS became afebrile during in-hospital day 1 (1.5, interquartile range [IQR] 1-2), while IVIG-treated patients became afebrile on in-hospital day 4 (IQR 2-4.25), after CS was added. The C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly declined in CS-treated patients on day 2 (P = 0.01), while in the IVIG group, CRP decreased significantly on the fourth day (P = 0.04). Sodium and albumin levels were higher on third in-hospital day in the CS group than in the IVIG group (P = 0.015, P = 0.03). A significant improvement and normalization of ejection fraction (EF) during the first 3 days was observed only in the CS group (P = 0.005). ICU stays were shorter in the CS group (4, IQR 2-5.5) than in the IVIG group (IVIG group 7, IQR 6-8.5) (P = 0.002). Among children with MIS-C with cardiovascular involvement, treatment with CS was associated with faster normalization of LV EF, fever, laboratory analysis, and shorter ICU than IVIG-treated patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective multicentre study

ObjectivesIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is commonly used to treat severe COVID-19, although the clinical outcome of such treatment remains unclear. This study evaluated the effectiveness of IVIG treatment in severe COVID-19 patients. MethodsThis retrospective multicentre study evaluated 28-day mortality in severe COVID-19 patients with or without IVIG treatment. Each patient treated with IVIG was matched with one untreated patient. Logistic regression and inverse probability weighting (IPW) were used to control confounding factors. ResultsThe study included 850 patients (421 IVIG-treated patients and 429 non-IVIG-treated patients). After matching, 406 patients per group remained. No significant difference in 28-day mortality was observed after IPW analysis (average treatment effect (ATE) = 0.008, 95% CI –0.081 to 0.097, p 0.863). There were no significant differences between the IVIG group and non-IVIG group for acute respiratory distress syndrome, diffuse intravascular coagulation, myocardial injury, acute hepatic injury, shock, acute kidney injury, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation except for prone position ventilation (ATE = –0.022, 95% CI –0.041 to –0.002, p 0.028). DiscussionIVIG treatment was not associated with significant changes in 28-day mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. The effectiveness of IVIG in treating patients with severe COVID-19 needs to be further investigated through future studies.

Intravenous immunoglobulin as the rescue treatment in NMOSD patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been used for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients to prevent relapses in several studies. However, efficacy of the rescue treatment of IVIG was just assessed in a small sample research. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of IVIG in NMOSD as a rescue treatment and whether it could reduce the relapse rate. We retrospectively reviewed patients with NMOSD in the First and Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Clinical parameters were extracted from the medical records, such as expanded disability scale score (EDSS) and time to next relapse. Thirty-one events of 20 NMOSD patients were included in the intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMT) + IVIG group and 72 events of 39 patients in the IVMT group. IVMT therapy combined with IVIG could improve the neurological disability when discharged (p < 0.001), whereas patients first attacked did not show a similar trend. Patients who were treated with IVMT + IVIG (17.39 ± 2.75months) show a longer time to next relapse compared to patients who were treated with IVMT (9.50 ± 0.79months) (log rank test p = 0.002), especially in relapsed patients or anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) seropositive patients. IVIG might be helpful for NMOSD patients as the rescue treatment and might bring a longer remission, especially for patients with relapse and AQP4-ab seropositive patients.

High-dose versus low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin for treatment of children with Kawasaki disease weighing 25 kg or more.

Little is known whether 2-g/kg IVIG is necessary for older children with Kawasaki disease (KD), because they could have more complications and financial burden. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between high- and low-dose IVIG in KD children with higher body weight (25 kg or more), using a national inpatient database in Japan from 2010 to 2017. We identified those receiving 2-g/kg and 1-g/kg IVIG as an initial treatment. Outcomes included the proportions of coronary artery abnormality (CAA) formation, IVIG resistance, adverse effects, length of stay, and medical costs. A propensity score matching analysis was conducted to compare the outcomes between the groups. We identified 1332 patients with KD and created 4:1 propensity score-matched pairs between high- and low-dose IVIG groups. There were no significant differences in the proportions of CAA (5.3% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.587), IVIG resistance, and length of stay. Medical costs were significantly higher in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: No significant difference was shown between the high- and low-dose IVIG groups in the proportions of outcomes, while medical costs were higher in the high-dose group. Further studies are needed to ascertain the appropriate IVIG dose in older patients with KD. What is Known: • For treatments of Kawasaki disease at any age in the acute phase, 2-g/kg single-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin have been the most recommended to reduce fever early and prevent complications of coronary artery abnormalities. What is New: • There was no significant difference in outcomes between children with Kawasaki disease weighing ≥ 25 kg treated with high-dose or low-dose IVIG in terms of coronary artery abnormalities, IVIG resistance, adverse effects, and length of stay, except for medical costs.

Comparison of ICU Outcomes between Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Plasma Exchange in Treatment of Mechanically Ventilated Patients with GuillainBarré Syndrome in a Neuro-Intensive Care Unit in a Govt. Hospital of Bangladesh: A Observational Cohort Study

Background: The management of Guillain-Barré Syndrome is very crucial for the outcome of the patient.&#x0D; Objective: The aim of the study was to compare efficacy of IvIg(Intravenous Immunoglobulin) versus PE(Plasmaexchange) in treatment of mechanically ventilation adults with GBS in neuro-intensive care unit of Bangladesh.&#x0D; Methodology: Thiswas a prospective, observationalcohort study, in a Neuro-ICU from 2017 to 2018. We included all patients with GBS who required mechanical ventilation (MV). We defined two groups: group 1 (group treated by IvIg: 0.4 g/kg/day for 5 days) and group 2 (group treated by PE: 5 PE during 10days, every alternate day). We collectedclinical and therapeutic aspects and outcome.&#x0D; Results: A total number of 49 patients (34 in group 1 and 15 in group 2) were enrolled. The mean age was 37.4±9.2 years, with a male predominance (65.3%). on electrophysiological findings, in 4(32.7%) patients had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in 26 (53.1%) patients and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) was 3(6.1%)and NCS was not done in 4(8.2%) cases. The mean length of ICU stay was 20±19.10 days and 46.60±30.02 days in IVIG and PE group respectively. The ICU stay was significantly shorter (p = 0.001) in the IvIg group than PE group. Patients receiving IvIg were early weaned of MV (p = 0.002) compared to those receiving PE with a statistical significance. Also, duration of M/V (P=.002), Need of tracheostomy (p=.005) and over all surval rate (p=.007) was significantly in favoue of IvIg group than PE group. Out of 49 patients, total 3 patients were died and they all were AMAN variety.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our work reveals a meaningful difference for the MV duration, ICU stay, weaning and excellent recovery in IvIg group compared to PE group in terms of less complcations.&#x0D; Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2019;5(2): 118-122

Retrospective correlation analysis of plasma Immunoglobulin G and clinical performance in CIDP.

BackgroundChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) can be successfully treated with immunoglobulin either intravenously (IVIG) or subcutaneously (SCIG). Measurement of plasma immunoglobulin G levels (P-IgG) and its correlation to clinical improvement has shown conflicting results. This study aims to clarify whether changes in P-IgG are related to clinical development in patients with CIDP treated with IVIG or SCIG.MethodsPatients from five previous studies treated with either IVIG or SCIG with evaluation at baseline and re-evaluation after two or 10/12 weeks, respectively were included. At evaluation and re-evaluation, the following tests were done: combined isokinetic muscle strength (cIKS), grip strength, 9-hole-peg test (9-HPT), 40-meter-walk test (40-MWT), clinical examination of muscle strength score by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and measurement of plasma immunoglobulin G (P-IgG).ResultsFifty-five patients were included in the IVIG group and 41 in the SCIG group. There was no correlation between the changes in P-IgG and cIKS in neither the IVIG group (r = 0.137, p = 0.32) nor the SCIG group (r = − 0.048, p = 0.77). Similarly, no correlations could be demonstrated between P-IgG and grip strength, 9-HPT, 40-MWT or MRC.ConclusionsIn patients with CIDP receiving SCIG or IVIG, changes in P-IgG during treatment did not correlate with changes in muscle strength or other motor performance skills.