IVIG May Improve Left Ventrical Function and Reduce Episodes of Arrhythmia in Adults with Acute Fulminant Myocarditis
Chinese investigators conducted an observational retrospective case study of inpatients presenting at Guangdong General Hospital with acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) between January 2001 and December 2010.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (Privigen) Effective, Well-Tolerated as Therapy for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
In a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label PhaseIII study, 61 percent of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) responded to induction and maintenance therapy with a 10% liquid human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (Privigen, CSL Behring).
Study Reveals Barriers to Flu Vaccine for Pregnant Women
A recent study conducted to evaluate barriers to pregnant women’s uptake of the influenza vaccine found that the decline in vaccination among this population was due to lower levels of knowledge and unfavorable attitudes regarding the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
Immunogenicity, Reactogenicity and Safety of Quadrivalent and Trivalent Influenza Vaccines
A total of 4,659 adults aged 18 years or older were randomized to receive a single dose of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4) from one of three production lots or an inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (IIV3) containing either a B/Victoria or B/Yamagata strain.
Safety and Efficacy of Investigational Single-Chain Recombinant Factor VIII Examined in Preclinical Studies
A recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) featuring a covalent linkage between heavy and light chains and expressed as a single chain molecule has demonstrated “convincing hemostatic efficacy and excellent tolerability” in multiple animal studies, according to CSL Behring researchers.
Shingles Vaccine May Be Safe for Autoimmune Disease Patients
A recent study conducted at theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham shows that the shingles vaccine appears to be safe and effective for those suffering from autoimmune diseases.
Use of Hydroxyethyl Starch in Sepsis Patients Increases Risk of Renal Replacement Therapy, Transfusion, Serious Adverse Events
Newer hydroxyethyl starch (HES) products with molecular weight of 130kDa and substitution ratios ranging from 0.38 to 0.45 (130/0.38-0.45) have been claimed to be safer than higher molecular weight (200/0.5-0.6) HES products, which were shown to cause acute kidney injury in two randomized trials in patients with sepsis.
New Method Developed for Forecasting Flu Outbreaks
A computer model for predicting flu outbreaks weeks in advance has been developed by researchers at Columbia University and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin Sharply Reduces Relapse Rate in a Series of Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica
With the objective of evaluating the safety and tolerability of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) as a treatment for neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a team of Spanish investigators administered IVIG (0.7 g/kg body weight for three days) every two months to eight patients meeting Wingerchuk’s revised diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
HIV Vaccine Update
Initial results from a Phase 1 trial of the world’s first HIV vaccine has shown no adverse effects while significantly boosting immunity.
