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.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . A method of treating or preventing a stress induced respiratory disorder in a patient, wherein said method comprises administering to said patient an immunoglobulin composition comprising immunoglobulins.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said stress induced respiratory disorder is selected from the group consisting of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory disease complex resulting from shipping or crowding, and upper respiratory infections accompanying stress.  
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered three to five times within a period ranging from six to ten days.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered every seven to ten days.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered in doses of ranging from 5 to 20 ml of said immunoglobulin composition.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered by a mode selected from the group consisting of intratracheal administration, vapor inhalation and/or intravenous administration.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered by intratracheal injection and intravenous injection.  
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered by vapor inhalation.  
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered by intratracheal injection.  
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered three to five times within a period ranging from six to ten days.  
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered every seven to ten days.  
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition is administered in doses ranging from 5 to 20 ml of said immunoglobulin composition.  
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition comprises a concentrated amount of one or more gamma globulins selected from the group consisting of IgG, IgG t , IgM, IgA, IgE, IgD and/or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition comprises IgG immunoglobulins specific to a variety of different antigens.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said immunoglobulin composition additionally comprises complement.  
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing weight gain in an animal, wherein said method comprises administering to said animal an immunoglobulin composition comprising immunoglobulins.  
     
     
         17 . A method of treating bacterial, fungal and viral infections in an animal, wherein said method comprises administering via subcutaneous injection to said animal suffering from a bacterial, fungal and/or viral infection, an immunoglobulin composition comprising immunoglobulins.  
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a patient suffering from diarrhea, wherein said method comprises administering to said patient an immunoglobulin composition comprising immunoglobulins.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a patient suffering from an epithelial tissue disorder, wherein said method comprises administering to said patient an immunoglobulin composition comprising immunoglobulins.