Cytotect is an immunoglobulin preparation derived from human plasma. It contains antibodies collected from donors who have developed immunity to certain viruses. This medication provides passive immunity by directly introducing protective antibodies into a patient’s system.
Uses of Cytotect
Cytotect is primarily used to prevent and treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. CMV can cause severe complications, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. This includes patients who have undergone organ or bone marrow transplantation, premature infants, newborns, and those with conditions like AIDS or taking immunosuppressant drugs. For example, in kidney transplant patients, Cytotect has reduced CMV infection incidence from 41.7% to 21.1%. For lung transplant recipients, CMV disease decreased from 43.3% to 13.2% with Cytotect use.
How Cytotect Works
Once infused, the anti-CMV antibodies in Cytotect circulate in the patient’s bloodstream. They bind to CMV virus particles, neutralizing them and preventing infection of healthy cells. This helps control viral spread and lessens infection severity. These antibodies can also enhance the patient’s immune response by marking the virus for destruction by other immune cells, a process called opsonization.
Receiving Cytotect Treatment
Cytotect is administered intravenously, directly into a vein. Before administration, the solution is typically warmed. The initial infusion rate is generally slow, around 0.08 ml per kilogram of body weight per hour for the first 10 minutes, and if tolerated, the rate can be gradually increased up to a maximum of 0.8 ml per kilogram of body weight per hour.
Common side effects can include:
Headache
Chills
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Joint aches
Back pain
Allergic reactions are also possible, and in rare instances, more severe reactions such as a sudden drop in blood pressure or anaphylactic shock can occur. Patients should be monitored for at least 20 minutes after administration to observe for any adverse reactions.
Other reported side effects, though rare, include symptoms of aseptic meningitis (severe headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity), and an exacerbation of renal failure in patients with pre-existing kidney impairment.
Overdosing may lead to fluid overload and increased blood viscosity, particularly in older patients or those with kidney or heart conditions. Cytotect should not be mixed with solutions other than 0.9% sodium chloride solution. It is also important to note that Cytotect can weaken the effectiveness of live viral vaccines, such as those for measles, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox.