Hyperimmune immunoglobulin therapy for cytomegalovirus infections in renal transplant patients.

Abstract

Eleven renal transplant patients with CMV infection have been treated by passive immunisation, one with high-titre anti-CMV plasma and 10 with fractionated hyperimmune anti-CMV immunoglobulin. All were pyrexial for at least seven days before treatment with typical clinical and laboratory features of CMV infection. Seven of the 11 patients treated showed a striking and sustained response within 24-48 hours of therapy, with lysis of fever, resolution of pneumonitis, a rise in white cell count and improvement in renal function and liver function tests.