Zoster immune globulin prophylaxis of disseminated zoster in compromised hosts. A randomized trial

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Abstract
Herpes zoster can be a severe and sometimes fatal, virus infection in its disseminated form in immunocompromised hosts. Delay in appearance of antibody to varicella-zoster virus may occur as 1 defect in such patients. Pooled .gamma.-globulin (normal serum globulin [NSG]) and zoster immune globulin ([ZIG] prepared from convalescent zoster patients) were compared for their ability to prevent dissemination of early localized zoster in immunocompromised hosts. Either agent was given i.m. in randomized double-blind fashion within 9 days of onset of zoster in 97 patients. Despite greater than 100-fold differences in titer of anti-varicella-zoster virus antibody, ZIG did not appear superior to NSG in prophylaxis of dissemination or diminishing post-nerpetic pain in zoster in immunocompromised hosts. Zoster immune globulin should be reserved for prophylaxis and modification of varicella, where its beneficial effect was demonstrated.

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