Transfer factor in tropical disease
Gatenby, P.
Papua and New Guinea Medical Journal 21(1): 65-68
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1480 PMID: 286485 Document Number: 129965
The role of transfer factor (TF), a dialysable cell-free leucocyte extract with the capacity to transfer delayed type hypersensitivity from an immune to a non-immune individual, possibly in a specific manner, in tropical diseases is briefly discussed. The importance of TF in parasitic infections is not yet known, but TF has been shown to transfer cell-mediated immunity to schistosomiasis in chimpanzees and a trial has been established in Puerto Rico to look at the clinical use of TF in this disease. The use of transfer factor in tropical medicine is reviewed with reference to various diseases including fungal infections (chronic mucocutaneous Candida infections, Histoplasma, Nocardia, Blastomyces and dermatophyte infections and phycomycosis).