Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in a patient with lupus serositis and nephritis

Rheumatol Int. 2000;19(5):199-201. doi: 10.1007/s002960000053.

Abstract

The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported as an immunomodulating agent in several autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein we report a SLE patient with severe clinical presentation that included pericarditis, pleural effusion, nephrotic range proteinuria, leukopenia, and lymphopenia. The patient received one course of high-dose IVIg (2.8 g/kg body weight), and within a week of post-IVIg therapy, her condition significantly improved. One-month post-IVIg there were decreased proteinuria, elevated leukocytes and lymphocytes count, decrease in antinuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies, and disappearance of pericarditis and pleuritis. This case demonstrates the efficacy of IVIg in severe SLE with various clinical manifestations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy*
  • Nephritis / complications
  • Nephritis / therapy*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous