Gammaglobulin. Historical aspects

Access and administration of gamma globulin is not an extraordi- nary situation nowadays, however the development of the molecule as we know it, has been long and complicated process, since the discovery of antitoxins, by von Behring and Kitasato and the first evidence of antibodies by Ehrlich, it has followed a complicated in order to provide in order to provide the patients an effective and secure product at the same time. A very important step in the history of gamma globulin was the discovery in 1952 by General Bruton when he administered gamma globulin to an 8 years old boy, thereby reducing his infectious processes. Curiously in a 12 years old patient with purpura and hypogammaglobulinemia secondary to immunosuppressive therapy, a dramatic increase in platelets was observed following the gamma globulin administra- tion, resulting in the use of gamma globulin also in autoimmune phenomena, since 1980. Currently on the market exist intravenous presentations 5, 10 and 20% and subcutaneous 16.5%, which have improved significantly the time spent by children in hospital, and some of them benefit from home administration