Intravenous Immunoglobulin Protects Against Severe Pandemic Influenza Infection.

ABSTRACT: Influenza is a highly contagious, acute, febrile respiratory infection that can have fatal consequences particularly in individuals with chronic illnesses. Sporadic reports suggest that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may be efficacious in the influenza setting. We investigated the potential of human IVIg to ameliorate influenza infection in ferrets exposed to either the pandemic H1N1/09 virus (pH1N1) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). IVIg administered at the time of influenza virus exposure led to a significant reduction in lung viral load following pH1N1 challenge. In the lethal H5N1 model, the majority of animals given IVIg survived challenge in a dose dependent manner. Protection was also afforded by purified F(ab')₂ but not Fc fragments derived from IVIg, suppo

SUBMITTER: Rockman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5440604 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature