IgM-enriched immunoglobulin (pentaglobin) positively influences the course of post-surgical intra-abdominal infections.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polyvalent IgM-enriched intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations are discussed to be beneficial regarding sepsis outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with abdominal infection were treated with Pentaglobin or Albumin. Serum levels of endotoxin and chemokines were determined. RESULTS: Incidence of fever was 19/28 in the pentaglobin and 18/26 in the albumin group, the percentage of days with fever was 34 +/- 26 for pentaglobin and 43 +/- 25 for albumin (mean +/-SD). Procalcitonin levels of the pentaglobin treated patients fell under the upper limit of normal on day six whereas levels of albumin patients remained elevated. CONCLUSION: Pentaglobin has a positive influence on the course of post-surgery intra-abdominal infection.