Early IVIG Treatment Found to Help Fight Dangerous Blood Clotting and Immune Overactivation in Severe COVID-19
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 19, 2025 6 hours, 32 minutes ago
Medical News: A groundbreaking new study from researchers at multiple institutions in California reveals how early treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may help COVID-19 patients by modifying the body’s dangerous clotting and immune response processes. Scientists from the University of California San Diego, the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Sharp Center for Research, Rady Children’s Hospital, and Sharp Rees Stealy Medical Group collaborated on this discovery.
Early IVIG Treatment Found to Help Fight Dangerous Blood Clotting and Immune Overactivation in Severe COVID-19
IVIG, a therapy made from pooled antibodies collected from thousands of donors, is already used to treat autoimmune diseases. It was also explored during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for severe cases. While previous clinical studies gave mixed results, this
Medical News report highlights the first-ever proteomic (protein-level) analysis showing how IVIG works inside the body during COVID-19. Researchers discovered that IVIG changes key pathways tied to blood clotting (coagulation) and immune response (complement activation), both of which are known to be dangerously out of control in severe COVID-19.
Key Study Findings Show Early Treatment Is Critical
In the study, 18 hospitalized COVID-19 patients received IVIG therapy and were compared to 17 patients who did not. Patients were given IVIG within 72 hours of being placed on mechanical ventilation. Those who received the treatment earlier—within 5 days of hospital admission—had much better outcomes. They were more likely to survive and be discharged home, while those treated later had worse outcomes and higher mortality.
Using detailed blood analyses, scientists observed that early IVIG therapy significantly reduced proteins responsible for excessive clotting and immune system overactivation. These included KNG1 (a protein involved in inflammation and blood clotting), ACTB (linked to cellular damage), and CPB2 (which inhibits clot breakdown). At the same time, some beneficial proteins like FGA were restored to levels seen in healthy individuals.
Importantly, IVIG also suppressed harmful proteins in the complement system, including CFD and C8G, which are known to increase inflammation and tissue damage during COVID-19. However, these beneficial effects were most visible shortly after treatment and faded over time, suggesting the importance of early administration.
Therapeutic Potential in the Fight Against COVID-19
This study is the first to show that IVIG’s clinical benefits may come from its ability to quickly rebalance the body's clotting and immune protein levels. The researchers emphasize that timing is everything—when given too late, IVIG may not deliver its full benefit. These findings provide critical insight into why earlier trials may have missed its therapeutic potential.
The team concludes that IVIG could be a valuable early intervention for severe COVID-19 patients, espe
cially before major complications like blood clots or organ damage set in. It may also offer treatment possibilities in similar conditions that involve immune and vascular inflammation.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Immunology
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1623309/full
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