Effect of gamma-globulin preparations on phagocytic function of whole blood

Effect of gamma globulin preparations on opsonic activity in whole blood from non-immunodeficiency was studied using chemiluminescence as the parameter of phagocytic function of granulocytes. Poly (ethylene) glycol treated, Fc-intact preparation clearly enhanced chemiluminescence (luminol-dependent) of blood cells phagocytosing zymosan, Escherichia coli (E. coli), or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), but pepsin-treated preparation showed no effect. Whole blood added with intact preparation at the final concentration of 4 mg/ml showed enhanced CL induced by E. coli and P. aeruginosa in many individuals, especially in infancy, although in adult age suppressive effect was often observed. In six patients with pediatric malignancy and three newborns with suspected septicemia, CL induced by E. coli or P. aeruginosa was measured after the administration of 150 mg/kg of intact preparations, and 4/6 of malignancy showed increased CL by E. coli, and all infants showed increased CL by E. coli and P. aeruginosa. These results suggest that intact gamma globulin preparation can increase phagocytic ability of whole blood in non-immunodeficiency via its opsonins, and may justify the administration of intact gamma globulins in non-immunodeficiency for the purpose of treating bacterial infections in some selected cases.