RENAL-INSUFFICIENCY AFTER INTRAVENOUS IMMUNE GLOBULIN THERAPY - A REPORT OF 2 CASES AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE

Over the past decade, intravenous immune globulin therapy (IVIG) has g ained widespread use for a variety of clinical disorders. IVIG treatme nt is associated with a number of complications, including acute renal failure (ARF). Although the cause of IVIG-associated ARF is unknown, it may be related to the stabilizing agent used in the IVIG preparatio n. The development and resolution of ARF is typically rapid, but in so me cases recovery may be delayed and require renal replacement therapy . In such patients, recurrence of ARF may be avoided by selection of a preparation with a different stabilizing agent. Two cases of IVIG-ind uced ARF are described, and all reported cases are analyzed to assess the probable mechanism of renal injury.