Hyperimmune globulin

Hyperimmune globulin is similar to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) except that it is prepared from the plasma of donors with high titers of antibody against a specific organism or antigen. Some agents against which hyperimmune globulins are available include hepatitis B, rabies, tetanus toxin, varicella-zoster, etc. Administration of hyperimmune globulin provides "passive" immunity to the patient against an agent. This is in contrast to vaccines that provide "active" immunity. However, vaccines take much longer to achieve that purpose while hyperimmune globulin provides instant "passive" short-lived immunity. Hyperimmune globulin may have serious side effects, thus usage is taken very seriously.

Treatment with hyperimmune globulin in mothers with primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has not been found to significantly decrease the risk of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.[1]

Hyperimmune serum

Hyperimmune serum is blood plasma containing high amounts of an antibody. It has been hypothesised that hyperimmune serum may be an effective therapy for persons infected with the Ebola virus.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Revello, Maria Grazia; Lazzarotto, Tiziana; Guerra, Brunella; Spinillo, Arsenio; Ferrazzi, Enrico; Kustermann, Alessandra; Guaschino, Secondo; Vergani, Patrizia; Todros, Tullia; Frusca, Tiziana; Arossa, Alessia; Furione, Milena; Rognoni, Vanina; Rizzo, Nicola; Gabrielli, Liliana; Klersy, Catherine; Gerna, Giuseppe (2014). "A Randomized Trial of Hyperimmune Globulin to Prevent Congenital Cytomegalovirus". New England Journal of Medicine 370 (14): 1316–1326. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1310214. ISSN 0028-4793. PMID 24693891.
  2. ↑ Kudoyarova‐Zubavichene, Natalya M. Kudoyarova-Zubavichene et al. (1999). "Preparation and Use of Hyperimmune Serum for Prophylaxis and Therapy of Ebola Virus Infections". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. J Infect Dis. (1999) 179 (Supplement 1): S218-S223. doi: 10.1086/514294: S218. doi:10.1086/514294. Retrieved 25 September 2014.