Effect of Human Immunoglobulin Preparations on Experimental Bordetella pertussis Infection in Mice

Abstract

The effects of four kinds of human immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use [pH-4-treated (IG-100), polyethyleneglycol-treated (PEG-G), sulfonated (S-G) and pepsin-treated (Pep-G)] on intracerebral (i.c.) Bordetella pertussis infection in mice, and on B. pertussis vaccine-induced leukocytosis-promoting factor (LPF) and histamine-sensitizing factor (HSF) were compared with those of human immunoglobulin preparation for intramuscular use (GGN). A prophylactic potential against i.c. B. pertussis challenge was demonstrated in IG-100, PEG-G and GGN. A prophylactic potential was also demonstrated in S-G and Pep-G, although to a lesser extent. Neutralizing activity for LPF was in the following order: GGN = IG-100 = PEG-G>S-G = Pep-G; for HSF it was as follows: IG-100>PEG-G>GGN = S-G>Pep-G. There were no significant differences in antibody titers of the various preparations against B. pertussis antigens. These results suggest that the Fc part of the immunoglobulin molecule is important for protecting against i.c. B. pertussis infection and for neutralizing B. pertussis toxins.

Treatment of severe pertussis by administration of specific gamma globulin with high titers anti‐toxin antibody

“…It was reported that intact and sulfonated human gamma globulin preparations showed significant protective activity against aerosol infection of mice with B. pertussis, but pepsin-treated gamma globulin had no effect (7,8). The effect of sulfonated preparation remains controversial (9). Following the onset of pertussis, sulfonated gamma globulin was administered to the patient and the therapeutic effects in this case were likely to be due to anti-PT action and not anti-FHA activity.…”