Zeman, Krzysztof, Lewandowicz-Uszyńska, Aleksandra · Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej · 2002
This review article examines whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)—a blood product containing antibodies—might help patients with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV and chronic fatigue syndrome. The authors looked at published research to understand when and how IVIG might be useful, particularly for people recovering from serious injuries, burns, or major surgery.
For ME/CFS patients, this review is significant because it specifically addresses IVIG as a potential treatment option in chronic fatigue syndrome, exploring the rationale for immune-modulating therapy in this condition. Understanding historical perspectives on IVIG use in ME/CFS may inform discussions about immune dysfunction and potential immunological interventions.
This review does not provide evidence that IVIG is effective for ME/CFS, as it merely synthesizes previously published work without conducting new clinical trials or analyses. It does not establish causation between immune deficiency and ME/CFS symptoms, nor does it provide rigorous safety or efficacy data specific to this patient population. The 2002 publication date means it does not reflect current clinical evidence or understanding of ME/CFS immunology.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Zeman, Krzysztof & Lewandowicz-Uszyńska, Aleksandra (2002). [Use of IVIG in secondary immunodeficiencies].. Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12661419/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-zeman-2002-use-ivig,
author = {Zeman, Krzysztof and Lewandowicz-Uszyńska, Aleksandra},
title = {[Use of IVIG in secondary immunodeficiencies].},
journal = {Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej},
year = {2002},
note = {PubMed: 12661419},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/zeman-2002-use-ivig},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/zeman-2002-use-ivig
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