Influence of dialysable transfer factor on IgE concentrations in patients with atopic dermatitis

Dialysable transfer factor (TF) was given in 10 paediatric patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Ten patients with AD, matched for age and severity of disease, served as controls. Prior to the therapy with TF and at weekly intervals thereafter, T- and B-cells in the blood, PHA-stimulation, total IgE and specific IgG antibodies to inhalant and food antigens were determined. Therapy with TF was followed by IgE depression in 8/10 patients and was most pronounced in three patients with initially high levels. Some decrease of IgE levels was seen in four controls also, none of them, however, fell to normal levels as was seen in two of the treated patients. Specific IgE levels decreased slightly, but always remained within the pathological range. T-cell counts in the blood increased in 2/10 cases as well as PHA-stimulation, B-cells counts remained within normal limits. Clinical improvement was seen in one patient, five improved slightly and four remained unchanged. Our results indicate, that transfer factor can lower total IgE levels in cases with atopic dermatitis. The effect is most marked in patients with high total IgE levels. Skin involvement, however, does not closely follow in vitro findings.