Pharmacokinetics of Human Tick-borne Encephalitis Virus Antibody Levels after Injection with Human Tick-borne Encephalitis Immunoglobulin, Solvent/Detergent Treated, FSME-BULIN S/D in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

This study assessed tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) neutralizing antibody levels after injection of FSME-BULIN S/D (human tick-borne encephalitis immunoglobulin; 0.2 ml/kg body weight) in healthy volunteers. After screening of 18 volunteers for TBEV antibody titers, 12 healthy volunteers with TBEV antibody titers <5 were entered into the pharmacokinetic part of the study. TBEV antibody titers were analyzed before injection and after 24 h, 48 h, 3 d, 4 d and 8 d. Vital signs, adverse events and laboratory tests for safety were analyzed after intramuscular injection with the immunoglobulin at 4 sites in the gluteal muscles. Injection with 0.2 ml/kg of FSME-BULIN S/D induced a fast increase in, and sustained titers of, neutralizing antibody levels against TBEV. The injections were well tolerated and the safety profile of the product was fully acceptable.