Pilot study on the safety of swine immunoglobulin in dogs as a substitute for human intravenous immunoglobulin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic strategies are needed to treat immune-mediated diseases in dogs. Human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG), approved to treat inflammatory diseases in humans, has been used in dogs with some success in some immune-mediated hematologic and dermatologic disorders. However, cost, supply issues, and safety concerns have limited studies in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the feasibility of swine immunoglobulin G (SwIgG) in healthy dogs as a replacement for hIVIG. ANIMALS: Three healthy female beagles. METHODS: Swine IgG purified by column chromatography and injected SC into beagle dogs with or without intradermal injections at predetermined time points. The dogs were observed for up to 3 weeks with blood collected for clinical chemistry, hematology, and cytokine analysis. Clinical monitoring included heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate. RESULTS: Injection of 1 dose (1 g/kg) of SwIgG resulted in vomiting after injection that resolved with treatment; no other clinical signs were observed over the 3-week period. One beagle that received a single dose of 0.2 g/kg SwIgG had a reaction and was removed from the second trial. The third beagle received 3 serial doses of 0.5 g/kg SwIgG with no adverse reaction throughout the 3-week period. Clinical chemistry in all dogs indicated slight increase in creatine kinase activity, C-reactive protein concentration, and aspartate aminotransferase activity which returned to normal by day 7 postinjection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: It is feasible to use SwIgG in dogs and additional studies to investigate its use as an adjunctive treatment for immune-mediated disorders are warranted.