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The Effect of Transfer Factor on Neutrophil Function in Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Author(s) -
Lawton J. W. M.,
Costello Christine,
Barclay G. R.,
Urbaniak S. J.,
Darg C.,
Raeburn J. A.,
Uttley W. S.,
Kay A. B.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1976.tb00980.x
Subject(s) - chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis , chemotaxis , candida albicans , immunology , medicine , transfer factor , mucocutaneous zone , lymphocyte , delayed hypersensitivity , biology , immune system , receptor , disease , microbiology and biotechnology
S ummary . Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis with hypoparathyroidism in a 6‐year‐old boy is described. In addition to defects of in vivo and in vitro correlates of delayed‐type hypersensitivity to Candida albicans the child also had abnormalities of neutrophil function in terms of their capacity to respond by chemotaxis to a known attractant and to kill suspensions of C. albicans. Dialysable transfer factor was given on six occasions at intervals of between 26 and 45 days. Neutrophil chemotaxis (optimal conditions) was restored following each of the six injections, neutrophil chemotaxis (sub‐optimal conditions) following five of the six injections and candidicidal capacity following four of the six injections. The effects of transfer factor were transient requiring repeated injections. The Candida delayed‐type hypersensitivity skin test was restored to normal but lymphocyte transformation to Candida extract was not consistently positive following treatment. There was a slight clinical improvement following therapy. These abnormalities of neutrophil and lymphocyte function point to the complexity of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. The improvement in neutrophil chemotaxis and candidicidal capacity following treatment suggests that transfer factor may be a heterogeneous group of molecules, some of which affect granulocytes and restore defects in their function.