Successful Reversal of ECHOvirus Encephalitis in X-Linked Hypogammaglobulinemia by Intraventricular Administration of Immunoglobulin

BECAUSE of the central role of immunoglobulins in protection from bacterial infections, hypogammaglobulinemic states frequently result in serious infections with these organisms.1 However, patients who do not produce normal amounts of immunoglobulin also have an increased incidence of certain viral infections. This is particularly true of infections with enteroviruses.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Vaccine-induced poliomyelitis13 , 14 and echovirus encephalitis have been particularly troublesome infections for patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Neurologic dysfunction progressing to death has been common in these patients. Since there is some evidence that cell-to-cell spread of enteroviruses may be minimized by specific antibody,15 therapy with high-titer specific immunoglobulin has been suggested and attempted. . . .