The Effect of Transfer Factor on Neutrophil Function in Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

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Abstract
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis with hypoparathyroidism in a 6 yr old boy is described. The child had defects of in vivo and in vitro correlates of delayed-type hypersensitivity to Candida albicans and abnormalities of neutrophil function; neutrophil capacity to respond by chemotaxis to a known attractant and to kill suspensions of C. albicans was impaired. Dialyzable transfer factor was given on 6 occasions at intervals of 26-45 days. Neutrophil chemotaxis (under optimal conditions) was restored following each injection, neutrophil chemotaxis (under sub-optimal condtions) was restored following 5 of the 6 injections, and candidicidal capacity was restored following 4 of 6 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.