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Treatment of chronic muco-cutaneous candidiasis by lymphocyte transfer factor.

A beneficial clinical effect from the administration of lymphocyte transfer factor is described in six patients with idiopathic early onset chronic muco-cutaneous candidiasis. Five patients in two families showed a familial disease pattern. Dermal anergy and failure to produce migratory inhibition factor with intact general immune function were found in patients tested. Antifungal chemotherapy was effective in clearing or markedly reducing the candidiasis and remission was maintained by repeated injections of transfer factor. Therapy was monitored using Candida skin test.

Adolescent↗

Therapy for disseminated coccidioidomycosis with transfer factor from a related donor.

A 17 year old caucasian woman in whom disseminated coccidioidomycosis developed with culture positive meningitis during her third trimester of pregnancy was treated with amphotericin B and subsequently with transfer factor prepared from her father's peripheral lymphocytes. Clinical response and in vivo and in vitro immunologic data indicated that this transfer factor afforded a significant contribution to her survival whereas previous therapy with transfer factor from an unrelated donor provided only transient immunologic reactivity. This experience suggests that transfer factor prepared from a related donor with positive responses to C. immitis may be more efficacious than that prepared from an unrelated donor.

Adolescent↗

Concentration of murine antigen-specific transfer factor of defined potency.

Dialysates containing transfer factor (TF) activity were prepared from lyzed splenic cells of SPF mice immunized with live, peripherally avirulent Langat virus (TP21 E5 "14" clone) from the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex. The amount of TF was estimated by its capacity to generate in recipient inbred C3H mice cytotoxic T lymphocytes inducing lysis of TBE virus-infected target cells as demonstrated by 51Cr--release assay. A 100 to 1000-fold concentration of TF activity was achieved by combination of the two-step ethanol precipitation of crude dialysates with subsequent fractionation on Sephadex G-25 by exclusion chromatography. Materials from individual concentration steps showed reduced amounts of admixtures, as revealed by absorbance profiles of their chromatograms. In the final product the protein content was most decreased.

Animals↗

Guidelines for immunotherapy of antigen-specific defects with transfer factor.

Dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLE) containing transfer factor (TF) with documented specificity for one or more microbial antigens have shown previously variable clinical effectiveness in treating many infectious diseases caused by viruses, fungi, protozoa and mycobacteria. The efficacy has sometimes been strong, and at other times dubious, in treating patients with inherited or presumably "acquired" immunodeficiency diseases refractory to standard therapy. The recent development of assays for screening leukocyte donors of DLE, for monitoring recipients, and especially for determining the potency of various DLE preparations containing antigen-specific TF and for predicting the clinical course of disease have, in our hands, greatly improved the likelihood of successful immunotherapy with TF. Two representative cases are reported, one involving a patient with an antigen selective defect to Candida, and another involving a patient with an antigen selective defect to Mycobacterium fortuitum. Both patients responded as judged by laboratory tests and clinical improvement when treated with certain DLE preparations but not with others. Finally, certain DLE preparations appeared to suppress cell-mediated immunity in vivo and this suppression could be predicted by in vitro tests. Based on these results, guidelines for optimal therapy with DLE are proffered .

Adult↗

Ventilatory volumes, flow rates, transfer factor and its components (membrane component, capillary volume) in obese adults and children.

We have studied the ventilatory volumes, flow rates, transfer factor and its components (membrane component and capillary volume) in 19 women and 23 children with moderate obesity. The adults showed restrictive defects, but the pulmonary volumes of children were within normal range. Peak flow, flows at 75 and 50% forced expiratory volume, in two groups, normalized for the forced expiratory volume, did not differ between the two groups. The transfer factor was reduced in adults, because of reduction of the alveolar volume, the membrane component was low in both groups; transfer factor and membrane component normalized for functional residual capacity were not different between the two groups. The capillary volume was greater in children than adults, because the excess body weight was greater for the children. In simple obesity, the main alteration is the decrease of distensibility of the chest wall that becomes worse as time goes on and is the cause for the alterations in ventilatory volume, flow and transfer factor.

Adult↗

Transfer factor prevents relapses in herpes keratitis patients: a pilot study.

Transfer Factor is a dialysable moiety obtained from immune lymphocytes. It has been successfully used for the treatment of several viral infections including labial and genital herpes. In the present study, thirty-three patients with low immune response to HSV antigens and suffering from herpes ocular infections were orally treated with HSV-specific transfer factor (TF). Their relapse index was reduced from 20.1 before treatment to 0.51 after TF administration, with only 6/33 patients relapsing. Although this is not a placebo-controlled-randomized study, the results suggest that TF specific for HSV antigens may be efficacious for preventing relapses of ocular herpes infections as has been the case with genital and labial localisations.

Adolescent↗

R-factor transfer in selenite and tetrathionate broths.

After overnight incubation of R(+)Escherichia coli with R(-)Salmonella typhimurium in selenite and tetrathionate with Brilliant Green (TBG) broths, R-factor transfer was demonstrated in 10 of 12 experiments. R-factor transfer in these enrichment broths occurred at a markedly reduced frequency in comparison to that in Trypticase soy broth, apparently due to an adverse effect either on the viability of the donor E. coli or the conjugation process itself. Transfer of R factors in commonly used enrichment broths may give rise to falsely resistant antibiotic patterns in Salmonella. However, the frequency of R-factor transfer is so low that it is unlikely to affect significantly the interpretation of R-factor studies.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The transfer factor (diffusing capacity) as a predictor of hypoxaemia during exercise in restrictive and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Thirty patients (17 with restrictive, eight with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and five with combined pulmonary changes) were studied. Ordinary pulmonary function tests were made and in addition the transfer factor (diffusion capacity) was measured at rest and compared to the arterial oxygen tension at rest and during maximal exercise. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.89) between the transfer factor at rest and the oxygen tension during maximal exercise in both the patients with restrictive and those with obstructive lung disease, but no correlation was found between the transfer factor and the resting oxygen tension. Exercise induced hypoxaemia (PO2 less than 8-8.5 kPa) occurred in some patients and this could be predicted with an excellent sensitivity and specificity if a discrimination point for the transfer factor of 50 per cent of predicted or less was chosen. Determination of the transfer factor at rest is thus a good screening test for exertional hypoxaemia and can be used to select patients for exercise testing when the purpose is to detect hypoxaemia.

Adult↗

[Lymphocyte apoptosis in atopic dermatitis treated with transfer factor].

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory dysfunction in whose physiopathology the lymphocytes T play an important role in the regulation of the inflammatory process. OBJECTIVE: To determine and to characterize the role of apoptosis of lymphocytes in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis before and after treatment with transfer factor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in a range of age from 5 to 45 were included in the study. Fifteen healthy subjects were taken as a control group. In all subjects it was determined the apoptosis of the lymphocytes by means of annexin and TUNEL techniques, as well as the expression of CD95 cells. The 15 patients with atopic dermatitis received treatment with transfer factor in stepped dose as follows: 1 U/day/5 doses, 1 U/week/3 doses, 1 U/15 days/2 doses, 1 U/30 days, until completing three months. At the end of this period new determinations were done to measure apoptosis of lymphocytes and PMN. At the beginning and at the end assessments of the severity in relation to the scale SCORAD were made. RESULTS: By means of both techniques no significant difference was found in the percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes between patients and control subjects. Differences of the expression of CD95 between patients and control subjects before and after treatment were not significant. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) of severity from the beginning to the end of treatment with transfer factor in patients with atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: No significant differences of apoptosis of lymphocytes were found in patients with atopic dermatitis who received treatment and control subjects, neither before not after the treatment with transfer factor. It was verified the decrease in the severity of the symptoms related to the treatment with transfer factor.

Adolescent↗

Transfer factor therapy in hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E syndrome.

The therapeutic effect of transfer factor (TF) from healthy donors was investigated in two children with extensive intractable atopic dermatitis, recurrent pyogenic skin infections, hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E, defective neutrophil chemotaxis and depressed cell-mediated immunity. Striking clinical improvement was noted in both patients with disappearance of skin infections, pruritus and eczema. No new lesions have occurred 13 months after the completion of therapy in the first patient but a few new atopic lesions have reappeared after 8 months in the second. Both patients are off steroids and antibiotics. Transfer factor administration did not influence the T cell rosette number or the lymphocyte blastic transformation response, but it did cause conversion of the skin-test reactivity in both patients and correction of polymorphonuclear chemotaxis in one of them. Non clinical side-effects were noted but marked and persistent rise of serum IgE was observed in both patients. Our data suggest that patients with hyper-IgE syndrome may be benefited by TF therapy and they lend further support to the notion that T lymphocyte deficiency may be the basis of the eczema in this syndrome.

Antibody Formation↗

Transfer factor for the practicing allergist-immunologist.

As continuing research elucidates the underlying mechanisms of immunological disease at the cellular level the need for the clinical allergist-immunologist to have available tools for the manipulation of cellular mechanics in the form of immunosuppression and immunostimulation becomes more apparent. An immunostimulant of perhaps wide application in the future is transfer factor derived from human lymphocytes. This presentation outlines in general the characteristics of transfer factor and a detailed method of production of transfer factor in a crude form is described. The procedure does not require specialized equipment and is simple enough so that interested clinical allergist-immunologists can produce transfer factor in their own laboratories and thus augment their armamentarium with an immunostimulant agent for use in selected cases.

Humans↗

Influence of dialysable transfer factor on IgE concentrations in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Dialysable transfer factor (TF) was given in 10 paediatric patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Ten patients with AD, matched for age and severity of disease, served as controls. Prior to the therapy with TF and at weekly intervals thereafter, T- and B-cells in the blood, PHA-stimulation, total IgE and specific IgG antibodies to inhalant and food antigens were determined. Therapy with TF was followed by IgE depression in 8/10 patients and was most pronounced in three patients with initially high levels. Some decrease of IgE levels was seen in four controls also, none of them, however, fell to normal levels as was seen in two of the treated patients. Specific IgE levels decreased slightly, but always remained within the pathological range. T-cell counts in the blood increased in 2/10 cases as well as PHA-stimulation, B-cells counts remained within normal limits. Clinical improvement was seen in one patient, five improved slightly and four remained unchanged. Our results indicate, that transfer factor can lower total IgE levels in cases with atopic dermatitis. The effect is most marked in patients with high total IgE levels. Skin involvement, however, does not closely follow in vitro findings.

Adolescent↗

Effect of transfer factor therapy on mixed lymphocyte culture reactivity.

We have studied the effect of dialyzable transfer factor therapy on three patients with immunodeficiency disease and in one patient who demonstrated no evidence of deficiency of either humoral or cellular immunity. We found evidence for nonspecificity in the effect of transfer factor on mixed lymphocyte culture reactivity. The data suggest that in patients with immunodeficiency disease a maturation of lymphocytes may lead to a generalized increased immune responsiveness. More profoundly, our data show that transfer factor may induce changes in the expression of histocompatibility determinants. We observed changes in the expression of determinants capable of stimulating in the mixed lymphocyte culture reaction as well as an increase in the capacity of lymphocytes to respond.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Measurement of transfer factor during constant exhalation.

BACKGROUND: Transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (TLCO) was measured by a new method based on analysis of the ratio of the concentrations of carbon monoxide to an inert gas (methane) relative to lung volume during a constant exhalation. Since this new technique is based solely upon exhalation, anomalies associated with inspiration and breath holding do not affect results. Additionally, because prolonged breath holding is not required, measurements can readily be made in dyspnoeic patients. METHODS: Exhalation TLCO (TLCO,ex) was compared with the standard (Jones and Meade) 10 second breath holding TLCO (TLCO,bh) in 100 consecutive patients. Patients did not practise the exhalation manoeuvre prior to testing. RESULTS: The comparative results were very close; mean difference (bias) +/- standard deviation (precision) was 0.05 (0.84) mmol/min/kPa. The relation was equally strong in patients with severe pulmonary disease; for patients with FEV1 < 1.51 the mean difference was 0.21 (0.80) mmol/min/kPa. CONCLUSIONS: Since the results were essentially identical between the techniques, it seems that comparable pathophysiological factors affect TLCO during breath holding and constant exhalation. Constant exhalation may therefore be a useful alternative to the breath holding technique for clinical measurement of TLCO.

Adult↗

Effect of a simulated 3,048 meter altitude on the single-breath transfer factor.

The single-breath transfer factor (TLCO) was measured in ten healthy subjects at sea level and at a simulated altitude of 3,048 m. Measurements were made at sea level using 21% oxygen and at altitude using both 21% and 31% oxygen in the test gas. At 3,048 m altitude (PB = 69.7 kPa), the mean TLCO increased 14% or about 2.3% per kPa (0.3% per mmHg) decrease in inspired oxygen pressure. Our data also suggests that altering the test gas oxygen concentration to account for the change in PAO2 due to altitude results in a TLCO equivalent to that obtained at sea level.

Adult↗

Antimicrobial drug resistance and resistance factor transfer among clinical isolates of salmonellae in Iran.

508 salmonella strains isolated during 1983-1986 in Tehran, Iran from cases of diarrhoea in children less than 5 were tested for sensitivity to 10 antimicrobial drugs and their ability to transfer the resistance determinants. Salmonella typhimurium and S. havana were most common (45.7% and 30.9%, respectively) followed by S. typhi (2.9%) and S. larochelle (2.4%). The antimicrobial agents used were chloramphenicol (C), gentamicin (G), tetracycline (T), ampicillin (A), cephalothin (Cf), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), kanamycin (K), nalidixic acid (Na), streptomycin (S), and furoxone (F). 91% of the salmonellae isolates contained resistance determinants, of which 89.6% were resistant to more than one agent. Strains resistant to 4-7 drugs comprised 85.6% of the total isolates. Ampicillin resistance was found in 85.4% and nalidixic acid in 2.7%. 58 different patterns of resistance to the antimicrobial agents used were observed, of which C/T/A/SXT/K/S and C/T/A/SXT/K/S/Cf were the most frequently encountered. 71.9% of the resistant strains contained transferable resistance factors and S. typhimurium had the highest rate of transfer (80.8%). Resistance to chloramphenicol had the highest rate of transfer among the agents used (77.4%) and streptomycin the lowest (20.0%). The pattern most frequently transferred was C/T/A/SXT/K (41.9%).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗