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A group of 222 patients suffering from cellular immunodeficiency (CID), frequently combined with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and/or chronic viral infections by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and/or cytomegalovirus (CMV), were immunologically investigated and treated with transfer factor (TF). The age range was 17-77 years. In order to elucidate the influence of aging on the course of the disease and on treatment, 3 subgroups were formed: 17-43 years, 44-53 years, and 54-77 years. Six injections of Immodin (commercial preparation of TF by SEVAC, Prague) were given in the course of 8 weeks. When active viral infection was present, IgG injections and vitamins were added. Immunological investigation was performed before the start of therapy, and subsequently according to need, but not later than after 3 months. The percentages of failures to improve clinical status of patients were in the individual subgroups, respectively: 10.6%, 11.5% and 28.9%. The influence of increasing age on the percentage of failures to normalize low numbers of T cells was very evident: 10.6%, 21.2% and 59.6%. In individuals uneffected by therapy, persistent absolute lymphocyte numbers below 1,200 cells were found in 23.1%, 54.5% and 89.3% in the oldest group. Statistical analysis by Pearson's Chi-square test, and the test for linear trend proved that the differences among the individual age groups were significant. Neither sex, nor other factors seemed to influence the results. The results of this pilot study show that age substantially influences the failure rate of CID treatment using TF. In older people, it is easier to improve the clinical condition than CID: this may be related to the diminished number of lymphocytes, however, a placebo effect cannot be totally excluded.

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In one of our previous studies we obtained permanent survival of cutaneous homografts in a rabbit ear in 3 cases out of 15 by influencing the regional lymphatic system of the host by the transplantation of a node immunized against the host (Vrubel, 1961~). We are aware that this effect is extremely difficult to interpret.According to our conception this activity may be interpreted as a certain limited destruction of the lymph cells of the host by antibodies directed against the tissues of the host. This led us to study the length of time during which transplantation antigens are released from the graft.For this purpose we used the antigen-antibody reaction in the lymphatic system of the rabbit ear after simultaneous transfer of a cutaneous homograft and a suspension of lymph node cells immunized against this graft. An extensive edema developed in this ear within 24 to 48 hours, and its degree was estimated by weighing the ear 48 hours after the transfer (Vrubel and Vrubelovl. 1062). MethodThe experiments were performed on Chinchilla rabbits weighing 2000 to 2500 gm. From the ear of the donor we transferred a full-thickness cutaneous graft to the ear of the host and fixed the edges by painting them with a collodium solution.One week later we extirpated the regional lymph node of Rabbit B and grafted it, together with the skin of Rabbit A, on two different sites of the ear of Rabbit C; 48 hours after the transfer of the node we weighed both ears and expressed the difference in percentage of control side.I n the first series of experimental animals we transferred the node immunized against the cutaneous graft on the same ear in intervals of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days after the cutaneous transplantation. In the control groups we transferred in identical experiments a nonimmunized lymph node. There were five animals in each experimental group. In the second group the experiment was performed similarly, with the difference that we extirpated the regional lymph node of the host simultaneously with the cutaneous grafting.We transferred the skin from Rabbit A to Rabbit B.All results were statistically assessed by the t test. Resulls and DiscussionIn the first series of animals we transferred-at various intervals following cutaneous transplantation-a node immunized against this graft on the same ear.After a short interval between the transfer of the cutaneous graft and the node immunized against this graft, 1The results are summarized in TABLE 1.