The effect of non-specifically acting transfer factor component on cellular immunity in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

A chromatographically purified component of human dialysable transfer factor with a non-specific stimulatory effect on the expression of immune response was used in a therapeutic trial in 8 cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Enhancement of the delayed type of immune response, measured by skin testing, was seen in all cases, but in vitro reactions to test antigens were unaltered. Clinical improvement was seen in all patients with acute history and in 2 of the 5 chronic cases, but it is not certain whether this was caused by the improved immune reactivity, or whether this reflected the known variable natural history of the disease.