Pilot study of intravenous immunoglobulin in HIV-associated myelopathy

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2009 Feb;23(2):75-8. doi: 10.1089/apc.2008.0018.

Abstract

There is no effective treatment for HIV-associated myelopathy (HIVM). The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made little difference to its natural history. Spinal cord pathology reveals vacuolization and inflammation. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used successfully in a number of inflammatory conditions associated with HIV. In view of the potential for reversibility of the inflammatory response in HIVM, we treated 17 patients with IVIg twice over a 56-day study period. There was improvement in composite Medical Research Council (MRC) strength scores 28 days following the first infusion (increase in score: 3.94; p = 0.021). The second infusion did not produce further improvement, however there was little reduction from peak strength. These pilot data suggest that further investigation of the use of IVIg in HIVM is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / virology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunologic Factors