Severe disseminated adenovirus infection successfully treated with a thymic humoral factor, THF.

Adenovirus and other usually benign viral infections may occasionally be associated with severe fulminant disease, often accompanied by acute acquired cellular immunodeficiency. Thymic humoral factor derived from calf thymuses has been demonstrated to have the capacity to restore the immunocompetence of immature, incompetent T cells. This factor was used in the treatment of a 3 1/2-year-old boy who was critically ill with an adenovirus infection and presented evidence of immunocellular deficiency. Within less than 48 hours after the institution of treatment with thymic humoral factor there was a dramatic, progressive clinical improvement, with restoration of the cellular immunocompetence. It is suggested that thymic humoral factor may be beneficial in the treatment of severe viral infections associated with depressed cellular immunocompetence.