Protective Effects of Human Gamma‐Globulin Preparations against Experimental Aerosol Infections of Mice with Bordetella pertussis

Abstract

The protective effects of 3 types of pooled human .gamma.-globulin preparations (intact: GG, S-sulfonated: GGS, and pepsin-treated: GGP) for i.v. use against experimental aerosol infection of mice with B. pertussis were evaluated. The .gamma. globulin preparations GG and GGS showed significant protective activity whereas GGP did not, as evaluated by survival numbers, body weight gains and suppression of leukocytosis. GG and GGS but not GGP also possessed neutralizing activity against leukocytosis-promoting and histamne-sensitizing activities of pertussis toxin (PT). Evaluation of protective activities of GG, GGS and GGP prepared from rabbit .gamma.-globulin, highly immunized with PT and not containing any anti-F-HA (filamentous hemagglutinin) or agglutinin antibodies, demonstrated that anti-PT-GG and anti-PT-GGS but not anti-PT-GGP protected against experimental infection by B. pertussis. The protective activity was correlated with anti-PT titer but the Fc portion of the .gamma.-globulin molecule is necessary for actual protection against whooping cough by B. pertussis.