Hyperimmune Globulins for the Management of Infectious Diseases

Abstract

This review is focused on the use of hyperimmune globulin therapy to treat some infectious diseases of viral or bacterial origin. Despite the introduction of antibiotics and vaccines, plasma immunoglobulin therapy from whole blood donation can still play a key role. These treatments provide passive transfer of high-titer antibodies that either reduces the risk or the severity of the infection and offer immediate but short-term protection against specific diseases. Antibody preparations derived from immunized human donors are commonly used for the prophylaxis and treatment of rabies, hepatitis A and B viruses, varicella-zoster virus, and pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus, Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum. The use of hyperimmune globulin therapy is a promising challenge, especially for the treatment of emerging viral infections for which there are no specific therapies or licensed vaccines.

Charting a course for global progress in PIDs by 2030 — proceedings from the IPOPI global multi-stakeholders’ summit (September 2023)

“…Enrichment of Ig products may also be achieved by the presence of high titres of pathogen-specific antibodies, creating so-called hyperimmune globulins (hIg). Treatment with hIg can significantly reduce the risk or severity of a specific infection, which is particularly relevant in the context of emerging infectious diseases warranting a rapid, targeted approach ( 23 ). Typically, hIg are plasma-derived products sourced from selected donors with high Ig titres specific for the pathogen of interest due to natural immunity or immunization (e.g., convalescent plasma from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected individuals) ( 24 ).…”

Using plasma products in small animal practice

“…It remains unclear whether the immunoglobulins in veterinary plasma products can be used by the recipient's immune system and how much the delivery of these antibodies aid the patient in fighting off infectious diseases (Bragg and others 2012, Acciacca and others 2020). Additionally, hyperimmune plasma transfusions play an important role in the treatment of infectious diseases in human medicine (Pati and others 2023).…”