Immunoglobulin as Adjunctive Therapy in Sepsis

Mortality in patients admitted to hospital with severe sepsis and septic shock is still unacceptably high, despite advances in understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and the implementation of evidence-based guidelines. Severe sepsis is often associated with the decrease in immunoglobulin plasma levels (Ig) and the presence of hypogammaglobulinaemia is related to bad outcome. Ig plays a pivotal role in immune and inflammatory response and therapy with intravenous Ig is currently recommended in several no septic diseases. Diverse meta-analysis showed that the adjunctive therapy with intravenous polyclonal Ig, particularly with preparation enriched in IgM component, may be beneficial also in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.