Methods of using immunoglobulin (Ig) compositions

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods of using Ig compositions to prevent and / or treat humans, livestock and / or domesticated animals suffering from a variety of disorders. The Ig composition comprises a concentrated amount of one or more immunoglobulins selected from the group consisting of alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. Preferably, the Ig composition comprises other antibodies identified as providing an immune response and / or immune factors such as complement. The Ig composition preferably includes immunoglobulins specific to a variety of antigens.

Description

[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 586,510, filed Jun. 2, 2002, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 685,052, filed Jul. 23, 1996, now abandoned, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 349,010, filed Dec. 2, 1994, which is now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,066, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.[0002] Not applicable.[0003] 1. Field of the Invention[0004] The present invention is generally directed to immunoglobulin (Ig) compositions and methods of therapeutically using Ig compositions in animals including humans, livestock and domesticated animals. Several embodiments of the invention are directed to unique and novel methods of using Ig compositions in the treatment of certain maladies or conditions. These methods include the use of an Ig composition for treating stress induced respiratory disorders, diarrhea such as diarrhea caused by Parvovirus in canines,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Of particular import, the inventor has discovered a novel method of enhancing weight gain in patients, particularly cattle and other livestock, wherein the method comprises administering one or more doses of an immunoglobulin composition to the animal. In this method, the Ig composition may be administered in any conventional manner or is preferably administered via a novel method of subcutaneous injection which is particularly convenient and effective for this purpose.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the inventor has developed an improved Ig composition and method of making the same whereby the composition is prepared from whole blood without permitting the blood to clot before extraction. It is believed that this improved method increases the overall amount of immunoglobulins, complement, transfer factors and other immune constituents extracted from the whole blood. The improved method includes the steps of collecting whole blood from one or more donors, wherein the donors have known immunity for a variety of ailments. An anti-coagulant such as citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) is then mixed with the collected blood in sufficient amount to prevent the blood from clotting. The anti-coagulant and whole blood mixture is then allowed to stand undisturbed until the red blood cells contained within the blood settle to the bottom of the collection vessel forming a bottom red blood cell layer. The white blood cells and liquid plasma form middle and upper layers respectively. In some species, it may be necessary to subject the anti-coagulant and whole blood mixture to centrifugation in order to obtain this layered separation.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, it is believed that white blood cells may become trapped within the red blood cells during the clotting process such that a portion of these cells remain intact and do not expel transfer factors into the serum.