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Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens
Published on: February 14, 2011
Clinical trial of a plant-derived antibody on recolonization of mutans streptococci
J A Weintraub1, J F Hilton, J M White
1Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California-San Francisco, 3333 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94143-1361, USA. janew@itsa.ucsf.edu
Objective:
This double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial tested the safety and efficacy of a topical secretory IgA antibody manufactured in tobacco plants (plantibody) in preventing recolonization of mutans streptococci (MS) in human plaque as measured by whole stimulated saliva samples.
Methods:
Following a 9-day antimicrobial treatment with chlorhexidine (CHX), 56 eligible adults (enrollment salivary MS > or = 10(4) CFU/ml; no current caries) were randomized equally to a group receiving 0, 2, 4, or 6 topical applications of plantibody followed by 6, 4, 2, or 0 applications of placebo, respectively, over a 3-week period.
Results:
Among the 54 subjects who completed the trial, the CHX regimen eliminated salivary MS in 69%. After 6 months, there were no significant differences in MS levels by number of applications, relative to placebo (p > 0.43). No adverse effects were observed.
Conclusion:
Plantibody is safe but not effective at the frequency, concentration, and number of applications used in this study.
