Intravenous immunoglobulin use in dermatology

During the past decade, normal, polyspecific IgG (intravenous immunoglobulin, IVIG) has been increasingly used for the treatment of autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders. In Kawasaki syndrome, controlled studies have helped to position IVIG as the first choice therapy. Patients with dermatomyositis, systemic vasculitis, autoimmune blistering skin diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus or atopic dermatitis have also received IVIG with varying results. For many of these disorders, IVIG was used as second or third line therapy in severe and refractory situations and almost no controlled clinical trial results are available which demonstrate a clear benefit of IVIG therapy over other treatments. This review addresses the question of IVIG therapy in dermatology.