Skip to main content
. 2021 Apr 9;151:110592. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110592

Table 1.

Summary of conditions applied and relevant findings from key clinical studies examining the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration in treating various symptoms of COVID-19.

Study Number of patients Severity Patient treatment Intravenous Immunoglobulin dosage Considerations Outcome
Xie et al, [25] 58 Severe/Critical Oxygen
Therapy,
Abidor antiviral treatment,
Moxifloxacin,
Heparin
20 g/day
administered either < 48 h or > 48 h following patient
admission
>48 h group required higher dosage of IVIG IVIG treatment within 48 h resulted in lower morbidity compared to treatment > 48 h after admission.

Length of treatment and ICU stay was shorter if treated < 48 h after admission

Proportion of patients requiring mechanical ventilation was lower when treated within 48 h of admission
Mohtadi et al., [26] 5 Severe
Combinations of:
Hydroxychloroquine, Kaletra,
Oseltamivir,
Vancomycin, Levofloxacin,
Tavanx,
Azithromycin,
Ceftriaxone,
Meropenem,
Imipenem
25–30 g/day for 5 days

9–14 days after admission
All patients had been intubated Clinical and respiratory
conditions improved

Saturated oxygen levels increased resulting in
quicker extubating of patients.

Obvious improvements in pulmonary
Lesions on CT scans.

All patients discharged with good
general condition and stabilized vital signs.
Cao et al., [27] 3 Severe Combinations of:
Supportive care and empirical Moxifloxacin,
Methylprednisolone,
Lopinavir/ritonavir
25 g/day for 5 days

1–7 days after admission
All patients exhibited decreased oxygen saturation Saturated oxygen levels increased resulting in
quicker extubating of patients.

All patients discharged with good
general condition and stabilized vital signs.
Shao et al., [28] 325 Severe/Critical N/A <15 g or > 15 g per day

<7 days or > 7 days
IVIG-treated patients had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, higher plasma levels of IL-6 and lactate, and lower lymphocyte count and oxygenation index IVIG significantly reduced the 28-day mortality, the inflammatory response, and improved some organ functions, but only in critical patients

>15 g/day IVIG reduced 28-day and 60-day mortality and increased survival time, particularly in critical patients

Early administration of IVIG (≤7d) reduced 60-day mortality, total in-hospital stay, and total course of disease,

Early administration of IVIG (≤7d) significantly increased survival time and improved inflammatory response and some organ functions.

28-day and 60-day mortality were not improved with IVIG in severe patients

in-hospital stay and the total duration of disease were longer in IVIG group in severe patients
Aljaberi and Wishah, [29] 1 Severe/Critical Ceftriaxone,
Doxycycline,
Hydroxychloroquine
2 L/minute oxygen by nasal cannula
40 g every 2 weeks Leukopenia (lymphopenia), normal coagulation profile, electrolytes, and liver 17 function. Flu/RSV panels were negative

intubation and mechanical ventilation by day 7
Extubated on Day 13 and discharged on Day 14
Lanza et al., [30] 1 Severe/Critical Hydroxychloroquine Azithromycin
450 mL (5 mL/kg) at 36 mL/h × 3 days with premedication with antihistamine and rehydration, followed by a decrease in infusion to 28 mL/h and subsequently extended total administration to 4 days
Deteriorating respiration and bloodwork Improvement in clinical and pulmonary function

CT scan showed a massive reduction in parenchymal consolidations,

Patient discharged with good
general condition and stabilized vital signs.