Long-term transfer factor treatment in severe atopic dermatitis.
Transfer factor therapy was applied in three patients with severe atopic dermatitis and given at regular intervals for 1 1/2 years. Clinically, slight improvements were seen, attacks of impetigo ceased and admissions to hospital were not necessary. However, IgE concentrations in serum remained constantly high in all cases and the absolute number of T and B lymphocytes was continuously subnormal despite treatment. The in vitro cellular reactivity to PPD as assayed by a leucocyte migration test was not significantly altered in the patients, although a slight increase was found early on in the therapy. Finally, a serum factor inhibiting leucocyte migration and appearing simultaneously with attacks of impetigo disappeared during treatment. In conclusion, no convincing effect of transfer factor therapy was encountered in immune parameters and no major alterations were found in the status of the patients' atopic dermatitis.
D000328:Adult; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014165:Transfer Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014165:Transfer Factor; D007073:Immunoglobulin E