Transfer factor and repeated otitis media.

The effect of transfer factor (TF) was investigated in 12 children with repeated otitis media. These patients were immunologically compared to a control group of 23 age-matched healthy children. Levels of immunoglobulins, total and "active" T-cells, and phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes were evaluated in the 12 children prior to, during, and after TF therapy. Percentages of "active" T cells and absolute numbers of "active" T and total T cells, which were initially low in the patient group, increased significantly after TF therapy to statistically match those of the healthy control group. The percentage of phagocytic monocytes in patients after therapy did not differ from healthy children; however, the percentage of phagocytic granulocytes remained depressed significantly. The levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM were unaffected by the therapy although the IgA and IgM were higher in the patient population throughout the study. After therapy, one-half of the patient population remained asymptomatic for a 1-year period and the others had markedly reduced attack rates.