Transfer Factor (Immodin Sevac) Treatment Of Recurrent Anterior Uveitis
– A Retrospective Evaluation After 10 Years.
Authors: I. Hána*(1,2), J. Stara (3), J. Boguszaková (3),
J. Pekárek (4), E. Ivasková (1)
Institution: (1) Dept. Of Immunology, Institute For Clinical And Experimental
Medicine; (2) Postgraduate Medical School; (3) Dept. Of Ophthalmology,
First Medical School, Charles University; (4) Sevafarm; Prague, Czechia.
Abstract:
Since 1987 an attempt to treat recurrent anterior uveitis by long-term
application of transfer factor has been undertaken with the goal to reduce
or possibly totally eliminate recurrent attack of this eye disease. Altogether,
50 patients at several time points have been enrolled into the study who,
prior to the start of the transfer factor therapy, had had several attacks
of uveitis per year, usually three or more. A commercial preparation of
human transfer factor (Immodin SEVAC, Prague, Czechia) was used, applied
normally at three months intervals by subcutaneous injection. The patients
were subject to regular check-up at the Ophthalmology Dept. of the University
Hospital: frequencies of recurrences of uveitis were recorded and compared
to frequencies prior to the start of the treatment. The duration of treatment
ranged from 35 to 85 months, the observation period was extended to 4 years
after the therapy was completed; the longest observation period was more
than 10 years. The final evaluation was based on hospital records and on
simultaneous questioning the patients. Only a part of the 50 patients were
lost from the final evaluation due to change of address or death.
The Transfer Factor treatment had remarkably good results since or the
36 evaluated patients more than 70% experienced no typical recurrence at
all. In about 25% of these patients some very slight eye discomfort was
noted, not more than 3-5 days of duration - no comparison to the severity
of preceding attacks. Typical recurrences, usually in sporadic numbers,
were observed in only a few patients who obviously did not respond well
to the therapy. In conclusion, vast majority of the evaluated patients
have been relieved from recurrent and severe attacks of uveitis even in
the period after the application of the transfer factor had been finished.