FAILURE OF CONVALESCENT GAMMA GLOBULIN TO PROTECT AGAINST HOMOLOGOUS SERUM HEPATITIS

Abstract

Reports on the efficacy of gamma globulin (immune serum globulin) prepared from normal adult human serum in the prevention of homologous serum hepatitis (viral hepatitis B), while indicating some prolongation of incubation period¹ or some degree of protection against the disease in battle casualties who have been given transfusions,² have provided evidence that this material is considerably less potent in prophylaxis against this disease than against infectious (epidemic) hepatitis (viral hepatitis A). In addition, a previous attempt^1b to neutralize homologous serum hepatitis virus in icterogenic serum with 20 ml. of normal gamma globulin was unsuccessful. In view of the frequency and importance of the problem of homologous serum hepatitis, effective prophylactic measures would be of great value in making the administration of blood or blood products safer. Since there does not exist at present a satisfactory method for inactivation of hepatitis virus in these materials before injection,