Immunoglobulin

What are immunoglobulins or antibodies?

Immunoglobulins and antibodies are synonyms. Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins present in large quantities in your blood. Because they cannot simply be synthetically produced in a laboratory, blood plasma donors are essential: antibodies purified from donated plasma are life-saving for many patients.

What is the function of antibodies?

Antibodies circulate in your blood to protect you against infections by fighting foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses, as well as target cancer cells. Your immune system produces them after exposure to a pathogen or following a vaccination.

While antibodies are essential, they can sometimes cause problems, such as during allergic reactions or in autoimmune diseases, where the body mistakenly produces antibodies against its own tissues.

When is immunoglobulin administered?

Treatment with plasma-derived immunoglobulins is primarily used for:

• Patients with immune disorders who cannot produce enough antibodies on their own.
• Patients with autoimmune diseases. High doses of antibodies can help reset the immune system and suppress the harmful immune response against the body.

Types of immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins are divided into five distinct classes:

• IgG
• IgA
• IgD
• IgE
• IgM

The most common class is Immunoglobulin G (IgG), which is also the main antibody type used in immunoglobulin medications,  traditionally referred to as gamma globulin, hence the letter G. 

Immunoglobulin deficiency

Several often congenital immune disorders cause an antibody deficiency. An example is CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency), a group of conditions in which the body produces too few antibodies. This deficiency can be treated with immunoglobulin therapy.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is primarily located in mucous membranes, such as those in the throat, nose, ears, lungs, intestines, and urinary tract. An IgA deficiency is the most common congenital immunodeficiency, affecting approximately 1 in 600 people in the Netherlands.

Symptoms range from mild to severe and frequently include recurring respiratory, ear, and intestinal infections. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and immunoglobulin. An IgA deficiency usually cannot be confirmed before age 4, as the immune system is not yet fully developed and IgA levels are not yet conclusive.

Immunoglobulin treatment

This medicine can be administered either intravenously (IVIg) via an IV drip or subcutaneously (SCIg) through an injection under the skin. 

• Chronic immune disorders: Patients often receive treatment every 3 to 4 weeks.
• Acute autoimmune disorders: Conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or Kawasaki disease require more intensive, short-term treatment.

Side effects of immunoglobulin

Like all medications, immunoglobulins can cause side effects. The most common are flu-like symptoms:

• Headache
• Fever
• Chills  
• Muscle pain
• Back pain
• Fatigue