Compositions of β-glucans and specific antibodies
Compositions and kits comprising combinations of β-glucans and specific immunoglobulins are disclosed. The compositions and kits are useful in methods of preventing or treating infection by a pathogenic microorganism, in which β-glucan is administered to a subject, and specific antibodies to a pathogenic microorganism are introduced into the subject.
1. A composition comprising a β-glucan and antibodies specific to a pathogenic microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, and cancer cells.
2. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said β-glucan is a soluble β-glucan.
3. A composition according to claim 2 , wherein said soluble β-glucan is a chemically-derivatized β-glucan.
4. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said β-glucan is a (1→3) β-glucan.
5. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to S. aureus.
6. A composition according to claim 5 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to Type 5 antigen or Type 8 antigen.
7. A composition according to claim 5 , comprising antibodies specific to a S. aureus antigen that comprises β-linked hexosamine, that contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and that reacts with antibodies to ATCC 55804.
8. A composition according to claim 5 , comprising antibodies specific to a S. epidermidis antigen.
9. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to an Enterococcus antigen.
10. A composition according to claim 9 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to an E. faecalis or E. faecium antigen.
11. A composition according to claim 3 , wherein said chemically-derivatized β-glucan is selected from the consisting of carboxymethyl glucan, sulfoethyl glucan, glucuronoglucan, glucan sulfate, phosphorylated glucan, and glucan amine.
12. A kit comprising:
a β-glucan;
antibodies specific to a pathogenic microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, and cancer cells; and
instructions for sequential administration of said β-glucan and said specific antibodies.
13. A method of treating infection by a pathogenic microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa and cancer cells, comprising:
administering a β-glucan to a subject; and
introducing into said subject antibodies specific to a pathogenic microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, and cancer cells.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said specific antibodies are introduced in said subject by vaccinating said subject with a vaccine.
15. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said specific antibodies are introduced in said subject by administering specific antibodies to said subject.
16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said specific antibodies are hyperimmune immunoglobulin.
17. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to S. aureus.
18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to Type 5 antigen or Type 8 antigen.
19. A method according to claim 17 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to a S. aureus antigen that comprises β-linked hexosamine, that contains no O-acetyl groups detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and that reacts with antibodies to ATCC 55804.
20. A method according to claim 17 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to a S. epidermidis antigen.
21. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to an Enterococcus antigen.
22. A method according to claim 21 , wherein said specific antibodies comprise antibodies specific to an E. faecalis or E. faecium antigen.
23. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said β-glucan is a soluble β-glucan.
24. A method according to claim 23 , wherein said β-glucan is a chemically-derivatized β-glucan and is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl glucan, sulfoethyl glucan, glucuronoglucan, glucan sulfate, phosphorylated glucan, and glucan amine.