Use of Gamma Globulin in Infection in Acute-Leukemia Patients

Abstract

A study was instituted to determine the effectiveness of γ-globulin as adjunctive therapy against infections occurring in patients with acute leukemia. Forty-six patients experienced 62 episodes of fever and were randomly assigned to receive either antibiotics and γ-globulin (treatment group) or antibiotics alone (control group). Infection was eradicated in 20 episodes in the treatment group and in 24 of the control group. The incidence of superinfection was similar in both groups. No significant benefit was derived from the routine use of γ-globulin in fevers occurring in acute leukemia.