Abstract
The present study was designed to determine if intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions result in detectable levels of clinically relevant autoantibodies in the serum of IVIG infusion recipients. Serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, antinuclear antibody, cytoplasmic staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, perinuclear staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, and thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) were measured in patients who receive regular IVIG infusions. Thirty-one subjects enrolled in the study. Anti-TPO levels exceeded the reference range in 21 of 31 (68%) subjects immediately after IVIG infusion. We conclude that patients who receive IVIG at standard replacement doses may have clinically relevant levels of apparent anti-TPO antibodies, as measured with routine diagnostic assays, and this finding is directly attributable to receiving IVIG.
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