Beneficial effect of Sandoglobulin upon allograft survival in the pediatric renal transplant recipient

The use of pooled immunoglobulin (IgG) has been shown to decrease panel reactive antibodies (PRA) in highly sensitized patients awaiting transplantation. IgG infusions have also been found effective for CMV prophylaxis. Analysis of 52 non-highly sensitized children (ages 1-18) who received kidney transplants from May 1991 through January 1995 was undertaken to determine if the immunoglobulin administered for CMV prophylaxis effected allograft survival. Comparison of the 'Sando Pos' group (those who received Sandoglobulin for CMV prophylaxis) to the 'Sando Neg' group demonstrates a significantly improved allograft survival at 1, 2, and 3 yr post-transplantation. Despite the Sando Pos group being younger [7.3 ± 1.3 yr vs. 10.7 ± 0.9 yr; (mean ± SEM) p <0.05] allograft survival was 95%, 95% and 88% in the Sando Pos group vs. 88%, 79% and 79% in the Sando Neg group at 1, 2 and 3 yr, respectively (p <0.01 at all three time points). It is concluded that the potential mechanism of the immunosuppressive benefit of Sandoglobulin is speculative but presumed to be upon inhibition of anti-HLA class I antibodies. We conclude that Sandoglobulin may not be useful for CMV prophylaxis but also as an adjunct to routine immunosuppression.