Comparative protective activity of human monoclonal and hyperimmune polyclonal antibody against group B streptococci.

Abstract

Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in neonates and compromised hosts, who usually lack opsonic antibody to their infecting strain. Unfortunately, most conventional immunoglobulin preparations possess little GBS antibody. The protective activity of a human monoclonal antibody (HuMAb) and a human hyperimmune intravenous immunoglobulin (HivIg) were evaluated against these organisms and compared with a conventional intravenous immunoglobulin (ivIg). The HuMAb and the HivIg possessed significant protective activity (50%-95%) against extremely virulent strains of types I, II, and III GBS in doses as low as 4-20 mg/kg. In contrast, the conventional ivIg had little protective activity against some of these strains in doses as high as 500 mg/kg. The opsonic activity of the HuMAb and HivIg also usually exceeded that of the conventional ivIg. These studies suggest HivIg or HuMAb with markedly enhanced specific activity may provide optimal immunotherapy for GBS infections.

• Authors: H R Hill, L A Gonzales, W A Knappe, G W Fischer, D K Kelsey, H V Raff
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 163 Issue 4 Pg. 792-8 (Apr 1991) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2010632 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Immunoglobulins
• Opsonin Proteins

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Newborn
• Antibodies, Bacterial (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Immunization, Passive
• Immunoglobulins (immunology)
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Opsonin Proteins (immunology)
• Rats
• Streptococcal Infections (prevention & control)
• Streptococcus agalactiae (immunology)