Experimental Basis for Treatment of Haemophilus Influenzae Infections

Preparation of human hyperimmune globulin to Haemophilus influenzae b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis

“…In the preantibiotic era, animal hyperimmune sera were used to treat invasive infections caused by Hib, meningococci, and pneumococci (2). When sulfonamides became available, the combination of serotherapy and sulfonamides for Hib meningitis was found to have a lower mortality (24%) than sulfonamides alone (72 to 88%) or serotherapy alone (54 to 82%) (1). With the introduction of penicillins and other highly effective antibiotics, mortality decreased dramatically and enthusiasm for serotherapy waned because the frequent occurrence of serum sickness did not appear to justify the therapeutic benefit.…”

Immunology of the infant rat experimental model of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis

“…influenzae b disease, and their presence implied protection from disease. More recent investigations (1,2,15,24) have confirmed the age relationship of BA antibodies to H. influenzae b and have shown that the bulk of bactericidal antibodies are directed against the type b capsular polysaccharide. Based on these facts, immunization with purified polysaccharide has been suggested as a potentially effective preventive measure and field trials are currently underway (J. C. Parke et al Pediatr.…”

Leaning in to the Power of the Possible

“…The Wright-Ward-Fothergill group tried energetically to treat the infection with horse antiserum, but with minimal benefit: in a series of 220 treated patients only 31 survived (84% mortality). 13 Working with Grace Leidy and Michael Heidelberger, she proved that capsular antibody was the curative component in antisera, devised methods for its calibration, and showed that the capsular antigen was a phosphate-containing polysaccharide. 1901 to d. 1968).…”