Abstract

Dialyzable transfer factor, obtained from human peripheral blood leukocytes and first described by Lawrence, is being used in attempts to rectify defects in the cellular immune systems of patients with basic immunodeficiencies, chronic infectious diseases, and neoplastic diseases. Current knowledge of the chemical character of, assays for, and functional activities of transfer factor are briefly reviewed. An experimental animal model for dialyzable transfer factor involving the rhesus monkey {Macaca mulatto) and infection with the trematode Schistosoma mansoni is discussed. The results of this study suggest that in this model transfer factor may act both specifically and nonspecifically.