Gamma-globulin treatment of recurrent acute otitis media in children.
This study examined the hypothesis that children prone to acute otitis media have a reduced concentration of circulating antibodies of the IgG2 subclass and that this defect can be compensated for by gamma-globulin treatment. Infants and children below 18 months of age with at least three episodes of acute otitis media were randomized to intramuscular gamma-globulin or no treatment and were followed for 6 months. We could demonstrate neither reduced IgG2 nor specific anti-polysaccharide antibody activity in the otitis-prone children. In contrast they had higher concentrations of IgG2 and antibodies to phosphorylcholine than did age-matched controls. There was neither a relationship between the IgG2 concentration and the number of otitis episodes prior to enrollment nor a reduction in otitis frequency in the gamma-globulin-treated group.
Jørgensen
F
F
Department of Clinical Immunology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Andersson
B
B
Hanson
L A
LA
Nylén
O
O
Edén
C S
CS
D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000628:therapy*; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010767:Phosphorylcholine