Strep/IVIG

[P_Mom]

If someone has an active strep infection, or even a treated infection but still has elevated antibodies, and then donates for IVIG, could the donor antibodies in the IVIG be enough to cause a flair in a PANDAS child? Or, would it be so diluted and overcome by healthy antibodies that it wouldn't make a difference?

[LNN]

My understanding is that the IVIG is comprised of antibodies from 1,000-10,000 donors. So I'm guessing it would be pretty diluted. Also, I thought the Pandas problem was that the antibodies your own body made were "confused" and programmed to attack proteins in the outer surface of basal ganglia cells that resembled strep proteins. The antibodies in IVIG are theoretically "normal" and don't make the mistake of confusing basal ganglia cells. Instead, IVIG gave the body an army of well-heeled soldiers. It's been a long time since I studied up on any of this but I think the doctor who suggested this is misinformed. JMO.

[P_Mom]

That is exactly what I think too, LLM.