Granulocytic function after administration of pepsin treated human gammaglobulin

Pepsin-treated human gammaglobulin, 150 mg/kg body weight, was administered intravenously to 14 healthy volunteers. Before and after the infusion the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reduction of granulocytes was studied in all and the bactericidial capacity in 12 subjects. An increase of NBT reduction (p less than 0.05) and of bacterial capacity (p less than 0.01) of granulocytes was found after the infusion. The effects may be due to an opsonising action of F (ab')2 components.