Fresh-frozen plasma as a low-cost replacement of intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of symptomatic hypogammaglobulinemia

Abstract

Hypogammaglobulinemia commonly presents with chronic diarrhea. Unfortunately, these patients require intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) transfusions of 400–800 mg/kg every 3–4 weeks as a standard treatment for hypogammaglobulinemia. Repeated transfusion of IVIG is costly, and many patients may not be able to afford it. We report the case of a young male with chronic small intestinal diarrhea who was later diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia. We treated the patient with fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and the patient responded favorably. FFP transfusion may be an affordable alternative to IVIG in the treatment of hypogammaglobulinemia.

Keywords

• chronic diarrhea
• common variable immunodeficiency
• fresh-frozen plasma
• hypogammaglobulinemia
• intravenous immunoglobulin