Effect of human immunoglobulin preparations on experimental Bordetella pertussis infection in mice.

The effects of four kinds of human immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use [pH-4-treated (IG-100), polyethyleneglycol-treated (PEG-G), sulfonated (S-G) and pepsin-treated (Pep-G)] on intracerebral (i.c.) Bordetella pertussis infection in mice, and on B. pertussis vaccine-induced leukocytosis-promoting factor (LPF) and histamine-sensitizing factor (HSF) were compared with those of human immunoglobulin preparation for intramuscular use (GGN). A prophylactic potential against i.c. B. pertussis challenge was demonstrated in IG-100, PEG-G and GGN. A prophylactic potential was also demonstrated in S-G and Pep-G, although to a lesser extent. Neutralizing activity for LPF was in the following order: GGN = IG-100 = PEG-G greater than S-G = Pep-G; for HSF it was as follows: IG-100 greater than PEG-G greater than GGN = S-G greater than Pep-G. There were no significant differences in antibody titers of the various preparations against B. pertussis antigens. These results suggest that the Fc part of the immunoglobulin molecule is important for protecting against i.c. B. pertussis infection and for neutralizing B. pertussis toxins.