Psoriasis: response to high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in three patients

Abstract

Treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be challenging, with treatment options limited by drug intolerance or poor efficacy. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (hdIVIg) has been used successfully in Kawasaki's disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, where it has become the standard treatment. The literature also suggests its positive effect in the treatment of dermatological conditions, such as autoimmune chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, scleromyxoedema, dermatomyositis and autoimmune bullous disorders. We report three patients with treatment-resistant psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis who improved with hdIVIg.