Prevention and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

Methods are described for preventing and treating necrotizing enterocolitis in animals, including humans. Antibodies directed to PAF and/or TNF are shown to have a beneficial effect in animal models predictive of human therapy for the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis, which is a major life-threatening illness in neonates worldwide.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treatment, comprising: 
 a) providing: 
 i) a human neonate, wherein said human neonate has symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis;  
 ii) a therapeutic formulation comprising polyclonal antibodies directed to TNF, and;  
   b) administering said formulation to said human neonate.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed intravenously.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed orally.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed parenterally.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is performed rectally.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polyclonal antibody comprises polyclonal avian antibody.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said polyclonal avian antibody comprises chicken antibody.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said chicken antibody is derived from chicken eggs.  
     
     
         9 . A method of treatment, comprising: 
 a) providing: 
 i) a neonate at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis,  
 ii) a therapeutic formulation comprising polyclonal antibody directed to TNF, and;  
   b) administering said formulation to the lumen of the intestine of said neonate.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said neonate is a low birth weight neonate.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administering reduces said symptoms.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administering is performed orally.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administering is performed parenterally.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administering is performed rectally.