Immunomodulatory Effects of Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIGs) in HIV-1 Disease: A Systematic Review

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) are generally used as replacement therapy for humoral immunodeficiencies. In consideration of their immune-modulating properties, they are also employed as "immune-modulating/anti-inflammatory" treatment in different clinical conditions. In HIV-1 infection, an increased incidence of autoimmune and auto-inflammatory manifestations has been described, probably as a consequence of the chronic immune activation associated with the disease. The initial use in the treatment of bacterial infections in children with HIV/AIDS has been replaced by the treatment, in combination with antiretroviral therapy, of these autoimmune/inflammatory conditions. We review the results obtained with IVIGs therapy in these HIV-1-associated clinical manifestations.