Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy for common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) are to reduce morbidity and prevent complications. Treatment with rapamycin has been suggested, but this therapy awaits proper evaluation.^[51]Rituximab has been used to treat associated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia.^[52]Additionally, Lin et al reported on the treatment of CVID-associated cutaneous granuloma using etanercept.^[53]

Class Summary

Ig passively supplies recipients with a broad spectrum of IgG antibodies against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Immune globulin intravenous (Gamimune, Gammar-P, Sandoglobulin, Gammagard S/D)

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Intravenous immune globulin neutralizes circulating myelin antibodies with anti-idiotypic antibodies. It down-regulates proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon-gamma. It blocks Fc receptors on macrophages and blocks the complement cascade. It suppresses inducer T and B cells and augments suppressor T cells. It also promotes remyelination and may increase CSF IgG levels by 10%.

Questions

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Media Gallery

Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons (Steve Brew, own work).

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Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Rohit M Modak, MD, MBA Staff Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Hospital Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Prema Modak, MD Physician, The Eye Center, Inc

Prema Modak, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey P Callen, MD Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Biogen US (Adjudicator for study entry cutaneous lupus erythematosus); Priovant (Adjudicator for entry into a dermatomyositis study); IQVIA (Serono - adjudicator for a study of cutaneous LE) <br/>Received honoraria from UpToDate for author/editor; Received royalty from Elsevier for book author/editor; Received dividends from trust accounts, but I do not control these accounts, and have directed our managers to divest pharmaceutical stocks as is fiscally prudent from Stock holdings in various trust accounts include some pharmaceutical companies and device makers for these trust accounts for: Stocks held in various trust accounts: Allergen; Amgen; Pfizer; 3M; Johnson and Johnson; Merck; Abbott Laboratories; AbbVie; Procter and Gamble;; Celgene; Gilead; CVS; Walgreens; Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Takeji Nishikawa, MD Emeritus Professor, Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine; Director, Samoncho Dermatology Clinic; Managing Director, The Waksman Foundation of Japan Inc

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.