SARS-CoV-2 and inflammatory responses: From mechanisms to the potential therapeutic use of intravenous immunoglobulin

J Med Virol. 2021 May;93(5):2654-2661. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26651. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Abstract

A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a severe acute respiratory syndrome called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Due to its extreme transmissibility with droplets and human contacts, in a few months, it has become a pandemic. Nowadays, no effective therapy is available, and the scientific community is moving to find a therapeutic choice to fight this silent enemy. Studies are ongoing on several therapeutic options, including antiviral agents, immunomodulant drugs, and immunotherapy. Due to viral features, including the ability to start an inflammatory response that seems to be the fulcrum of COVID-19 pathogenic action, immunotherapy could represent a promising alternative waiting for the vaccine. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), already used in other infectious diseases, could represent an effective help. The aim of this narrative review is to reassemble the clinical experiences on the use of IVIg in COVID-19 and the rationale of its use.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; immunotherapy; inflammation; intravenous immunoglobulin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • China
  • Cross Reactions
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous