Biomedical subjects

F Fabrizzi

Publications and source records attributed to F Fabrizzi.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Adverse effects of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in 56 patients with autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To test the adverse effects and viral safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) use in autoimmune diseases. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with various autoimmune diseases who were treated with one to six IVIg courses were evaluated for the presence of adverse effects following IVIg therapy and were screened before and after the treatment for the presence of serum human immunodeficiency virus antibodies, hepatitis C virus antibodies, and hepatitis B surface antigen. RESULTS: Among the 56 patients, 20 (36%) had at least one adverse effect following at least one of the treatment courses. These included headache, low-grade fever, chills, anemia, low-back pain, transient hypotension, nausea, intensified perspiration, and superficial and deep vein thromboses. Whereas the presence of adverse effect to IVIg was unrelated to either the clinical response to the treatment or to the nature of the autoimmune disease, the occurrence of an adverse effect in the first treatment course was significantly associated with a greater chance for an adverse effect in the subsequent courses. No transmission of any of the three viral agents examined could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Although IVIg use in autoimmune diseases is associated with adverse effects in about one third of the patients, these effects are usually mild and transient. Patients who develop adverse effects during the first treatment course may be at increased risk of adverse effects during the subsequent IVIg courses.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Skin score decrease in systemic sclerosis patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin--a preliminary report.

The aim of the study was to determine for the first time the response of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Three patients with progressive and rapidly deteriorating disease (mainly affecting the skin) were planned to receive six monthly courses of high-dose IVIg (2 g/kg). All had a thorough physical examination, clinical evaluation by the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score, and measurement of the titres of PM-Scl antibodies before and after the treatment, and before and after each treatment course. Two of the three patients received six IVIg courses as planned and no adverse effects or disease progression occurred during the therapy. The third patient received three courses, after which he developed renal failure and later died of sepsis. All three patients had a large decrease in their skin score after the treatment compared to that before the treatment. No modification of PM-Scl antibody titres was noted in any patient. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may have a role in the treatment of SSc patients with rapidly deteriorating skin disease. The specific indications, as well as the safety of this treatment, should be further researched.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Detection of antibodies to gangliosides and glycolipids in various intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) preparations.

The aim of this study was to examine the presence of antibodies to GM1 and sulfatide in various IVIg preparations. Five brands of commercially available human IVIg (Sandoglobulin, Isiven, Cytogam, Omrigam and Cutter) were examined and compared. Serial dilutions of each of the above preparations were prepared at a working range of 0.009 to 25.0 mg/ml IVIg, and screened by a standard 96-well microplate EIA for autoantibodies to the ganglioside GM1 and to the glycolipid sulfatide. The various IVIg preparations (Omrigam, Cytogam, Sandoglobulin, Isiven), except for Cutter IVIg, contained low to medium titers of the autoantibodies tested. Omrigam and Cytogam IVIg contained low titer of antibodies to GM1, and medium-titer of antibodies to sulfatide, whereas Sandoglobulin and Isiven contained only low-titer of autoantibodies to sulfatide. The presence of natural autoantibodies to myelin in human sera may explain the presence of the tested antibodies within IVIg preparations. Measurements of antibodies to ganglioside and glycolipid in sera of Guillain-Barré patients immediately following IVIg, would probably not reveal antibody decrease. Alternatively, long-term (several weeks) follow-up of titers might result in their modification due to inhibition of antibodies production by IVIg.

Autoantibodies↗

PubMed1999

Successful treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus cerebritis with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Neuropsychiatric lupus includes extremely diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from mild cognitive dysfunction to a severe, life-threatening presentation. We report a 28-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who had persistent fever for 3 months, and developed within a few hours motor and sensory aphasia, rotator nystagmus with deviation of the eyes, and severe nuchal rigidity. An extensive series of imaging and laboratory tests were interpreted as normal, except for an elevated opening pressure at lumbar puncture, cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory findings, and asymmetrical cortical perfusion on single-photon emission computed tomography. The patient received one course of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and within 5 days her condition returned to that of 3 months before admission. The mechanisms of injury, along with the management of cerebral lupus and the mechanisms of action of IVIg, are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Treatment of chronic bilateral pleural effusions with intravenous immunoglobulin and cyclosporin.

A 48 y old woman with unremarkable medical history was admitted with bilateral pleural effusions; even though the fluid was drained, it re-accumulated and necessitated many repeated drainages in the following 2.5 y (56 hospitalisations). The patient underwent an extensive diagnostic work-up that disclosed elevated serum antinuclear antibodies, serum anti-dsDNA antibodies, pleural fluid anti-dsDNA and decreased pleural fluid C3 and C4. During that period she has been treated with a variety of immunomodulating agents, several pleural talcage and pleurectomy, without any apparent response. Thereafter, she received six courses of IVIg (2 g/kg body weight) in monthly intervals, followed by four months treatment with cyclosporin. This treatment resulted in gradual and eventually complete disappearance of the pleural effusion, and now after more than 2 y the patient is free of symptoms and receives no further medications.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗