Preliminary reportSubcutaneous IgG replacement therapy is safe and well tolerated in lung transplant recipients

- Hypogammaglobulinemia is a common complication of immunosuppression in lung transplant (LT) recipients.
- Subcutaneous IgG replacement therapy successfully corrects low IgG levels in LT recipients.
- Subcutaneous IgG replacement therapy is well tolerated and safe in LT recipients including those with renal insufficiency.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) replacement has been shown to decrease the risk of post-transplant infections secondary to hypogammaglobulinemia, however the use of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) in this population has not been reported. A retrospective analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement on 10 lung-transplant recipients was performed. All 10 patients demonstrated an increase in IgG levels at three months that was sustained at 6-12 months with SCIG replacement therapy, with the majority (70%) tolerating infusion without complications. The results of this study suggest that subcutaneous IgG replacement therapy is a well tolerated alternative to IVIG.