TF for Bacterial Infections

Dialyzable leukocyte extract (transfer factor) in the treatment of superinfected fistulating tuberculosis of the bone.
Author
Zielinski CC; Savoini E; Ciotti M; Orani R; Königswieser H; Eibl MM
Address
Source
Cell Immunol, 1984 Mar, 84:1, 200-5
Abstract
The effect of the addition of dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE)(transfer factor) to tuberculostatic drugs in the treatment of superinfected fistulating tuberculosis of bones and joints was evaluated in a controlled study. Eleven patients whose disease had persisted for a mean of 20 +/- 4.8 years and had proved to be resistant to antibiotics and tuberculostatic drugs were treated with an additional combined tuberculostatic drug regimen consisting of isoniazide, ethambutol, and rifampin for a control period of 2 years; after this therapy had failed as judged by the persistence of the superinfected fistulae and of the symptoms, DLE was added to the regimen. The result of this therapeutic approach was evaluated after another 2 years. Through this therapy, a closure of the fistulae was achieved in 9 out of the 11 patients (P less than 0.001) with a concomitant decrease of symptoms. DLE may prove beneficial in the treatment of patients with superinfected fistulating tuberculous osteomyelitis.

Transfer factor and repeated otitis media.
Author
Kaminkova J; Lange CF
Address
Source
Cell Immunol, 1984 Nov, 89:1, 259-64
Abstract
The effect of transfer factor (TF) was investigated in 12 children with repeated otitis media. These patients were immunologically compared to a control group of 23 age-matched healthy children. Levels of immunoglobulins, total and "active" T-cells, and phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes were evaluated in the 12 children prior to, during, and after TF therapy. Percentages of "active" T cells and absolute numbers of "active" T and total T cells, which were initially low in the patient group, increased significantly after TF therapy to statistically match those of the healthy control group. The percentage of phagocytic monocytes in patients after therapy did not differ from healthy children; however, the percentage of phagocytic granulocytes remained depressed significantly. The levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM were unaffected by the therapy although the IgA and IgM were higher in the patient population throughout the study. After therapy, one-half of the patient population remained asymptomatic for a 1-year period and the others had markedly reduced attack rates.

Separate transfer of mouse protection and delayed-type hypersensitivity with Salmonella typhimurium transfer factor.
Author
Kita E; Matsuda Y; Matsuda K; Kashiba S
Address
Source
Cell Immunol, 1984 Sep, 87:2, 528-37
Abstract
Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) induced with Salmonella typhimurium transfer factor (TF) contributed to an increase in mean survival days of mice challenged with homologous organisms and afforded only a low level of host protection as determined by survival rate, compared with that obtained by active immunization. TF of other enteric bacteria could transfer DTH which is cross-reactive to salmonella antigen but did not afford host protection. Although TF of Listeria monocytogenes did not transfer the cross-reactive DTH, it could confer the significant increase in mean survival days against the lethal challenge with S. typhimurium. Listerial ribosomal vaccine conferred the high level of mouse protection without inducing DTH to salmonella antigen. The resistance generated upon active immunization with listerial ribosomal vaccine could be enhanced by the injection of S. typhimurium TF to the same level as that obtained after immunization with homologous ribosomal vaccine. Among salmonella TF, there could be no cross-reactive immunity between S. typhimurium and S. choleraesuis, although the cross-reactive DTH was observed. The DTH transfer ability of TF was sensitive to Pronase which could not affect the ability to transfer host immunity, but RNase could abolish the ability to transfer host immunity without impairing DTH transfer activity. These results suggest that in mouse typhoid infection, DTH is not associated with host protection as determined by survival rate.

A case report of the successful treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with some preparations of orally administered transfer factor.
Author
Schulkind ML; Heim LR; South MA; Jeter WS; Small PA Jr
Address
Source
Cell Immunol, 1984 Apr, 84:2, 415-21
Abstract
A patient with severe disabling recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) was treated with four different preparations of oral human transfer factor (TF), as well as placebo, following a double-blind protocol. Two of the TF preparations had a significant effect upon the course of the patient's illness by prolonging the interval between attacks and decreasing the severity of attacks. No side effects attributable to any of the preparations were noted by the patient. Thus, some but not all preparations of human transfer factor given orally are an effective therapy for RAS.