Treatment of cryptosporidiosis with oral bovine transfer factor.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Treatment of cryptosporidiosis with oral bovine transfer factor.

Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1987 Sep;44(3):329-34. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/87302455
Louie E; Borkowsky W; Klesius PH; Haynes TB; Gordon S; Bonk S; Lawrence HS

Abstract: Cryptosporidia are intestinal protozoans long known to cause diarrhea in humans, especially those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). When transfer factor prepared from calves which possessed delayed-type hypersensitivity to Eimeria bovis was given to nonimmune calves and mice it conferred protection against clinical infection (coccidiosis). Recent studies with oral bovine transfer factor have shown that it can confer cell-mediated immunity to humans. Based on these findings we decided to treat eight AIDS patients suffering from Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea with transfer factor prepared from calves immune to Cryptosporidium. Prior to treatment with transfer factor, three patients had been treated with spiramycin, one patient with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and one patient with furazolidone for greater than 1 month without clinical or laboratory improvement. Following administration of transfer factor, five or eight patients exhibited a decrease in the number of bowel movements and the development of formed stools. Cryptosporidium was eradicated from the stools of four patients but two of these patients subsequently relapsed and one patient continued to have diarrhea despite the absence of Cryptosporidium in the stool. One patient has been free of diarrhea and Cryptosporidium for 2 years after discontinuation of transfer factor therapy.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS Administration, Oral Adolescence Adult Animal Cattle Child, Preschool Cryptosporidiosis/ETIOLOGY/*THERAPY Human Transfer Factor/*THERAPEUTIC USE JOURNAL ARTICLE

871230
M87C0347

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