RHESUS PROPHYLAXIS AND VIRUS SAFETY

Sporadic reports on hepatitis-B and NANB transmissions via intravenous immunoglobulin preparations (ivIg) and a series of NANB cases after a dministration of intramuscular immunoglobulin (imIg) for prophylaxis o f immunisation against the Rhesus (Rh) antigen D (imIg-D) in the forme r Eastern Germany led us to investigate retrospectively the virus safe ty of imIg-D regarding transfusion-relevant viral infections. In 520 R h-negative women, who had received a total number of 987 imIg-D inject ions over a period of 24 years from 1968 to the beginning of 1992, the parameters HBs-Ag, HIV-1,2-Ab, HCV-Ab, HBc-Ab and CMV-Ab were measure d. A comparison of the results between the test group and a control gr oup of Rh-positive women revealed no statistically significant differe nces. This underlines the virus safety of the imIg-D-preparations that have been in use in our area for the last 24 years.