Elsevier

Clinical Immunology

Volume 104, Issue 3, September 2002, Pages 231-236
Clinical Immunology

Regular Article
European Surveillance of Immunoglobulin Safety—Results of Initial Survey of 1243 Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies in 16 Countries

https://doi.org/10.1006/clim.2002.5239Get rights and content

Abstract

A European multicenter study was conducted to obtain information on the current practices of immunoglobulin administration, the policies in use for the surveillance of the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, and the natural history of HCV infection in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Data from 1243 patients with primary immunodeficiencies in 16 countries demonstrated that 90% of patients with antibody deficiencies receive intravenous immunoglobulins in an inpatient setting, and 7% of patients are treated with subcutaneous immunoglobulins, mainly at home. Wide variations have been reported regarding the frequency and the type of tests monitored for the surveillance on the risk of viral hepatitis transmission. Only 60% of patients have been tested at least once for HCV RNA detection. Data from 71 HCV-infected patients demonstrated a rapid progression of HCV infection, with end-stage liver disease, in about 40% of patients. Ten percent of patients spontaneously cleared the virus, and about 30% are asymptomatic. Patients with CVID have a worse prognosis than patients with XLA.

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  • Cited by (0)

    1

    To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed. Fax: 0039-6-4466209. E-mail: [email protected].

    2

    The European Study Group for the Surveillance of Immunoglobulin Safety: D. Richter, Croatia; R. Zachova and J. Litzman, Czech Republic; H. Permin, Denmark; M. Borte and V. Aumann, Germany; E. Papadopulos and F. Kanakoudi-Tsakalidou, Greece; T. Timar, Hungary; C. Feighery, M. Abuzakouk, Ireland; J. Levy, Israel; D. De Mattia, M. Martire, A. Plebani, F. Aiuti, M. Pietrogrande, C. Pietrogrande, P. A. Tovo, V. Monafo, P. Rossi, and C. Pignata, Italy; E. Bernatowska and G. Siwinska, Poland; T. Espanol and M. Vendrell, Spain; J. Bjorkander, K. Elnersson, and V. A. Oxelius, Sweden; E. Gerritsen, The Netherlands; N. Kutukculer, Turkey; F. Ashwoth, H. Chapel, S. J. Deacock, H. C. Gooi, S. L. Johnston, A. Jones, E. Kaminsky, and P. S. Vickers, United Kingdom; S. Pasic, Yugoslavia.

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