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Fragmented IgG for Post‐Exposure Prophylaxis of Type A Hepatitis
Author(s) -
Brachott D.,
Mosley J. W.,
Lipschitz I.,
Kendrick M. A.,
Sgouris J. T.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.1972.tb00031.x
Subject(s) - fragmentation (computing) , medicine , adverse effect , placebo , hepatitis , albumin , immunology , antibody , globulin , hepatitis b , gastroenterology , biology , pathology , ecology , alternative medicine
To determine whether fragmentation of IgG in immune serum globulin (ISG) preparations has an adverse effect upon protection against type A hepatitis, three materials were given to household contacts of icteric cases: (1) human albumin as a placebo; (2) normal ISG containing intact IgG; and (3) ISG from the same lot but containing IgG deliberately fragmented with fibrinolysin. Attack rates per 100 children were 4.9, 2.8, and 2.3, respectively. IgG fragmentation, therefore, had no adverse effect on overall level of protection. In addition, IgG fragmentation produced a statistically significant reduction in secondary attack rate when given as late as six days prior to expected onset (as judged from the placebo group); ISG with intact IgG had to be given 16 days or more prior to expected onset to achieve a comparably significant reduction. This result suggests that fragmentation may be advantageous for ISG preparations intended for post‐exposure prophylaxis of viral diseases.