Acute renal failure following intravenous administration of hepatitis B im-munoglobulin in liver transplantation.

Intravenous administration of immunoglobulin (IVIG), rarely, can be the cause of acute renal failure (ARF). Such adverse reaction can occur almost exclusively when using preparations containing saccharose. The use of anti-HBV immunoglobulin (HBIG) is an effective prophylactic strategy against graft infection following liver transplantation. We report a case of ARF following prophylactic intravenous administration of HBIG in a liver transplanted patient. Anti-HBV immunoglobulin containing saccharose should be avoided in the perioperative period, because of the concomitance with other risk factors for ARF.