Compositions including different types of transfer factor

Abstract

A composition for eliciting a T-cell mediated immune response in a subject includes transfer factor from at least two different types of source animals. For example, the composition may include mammalian transfer factor and nonmammalian transfer factor. An example of the composition includes a combination of a colostrum-derived product, which includes the mammalian transfer factor, and an egg-derived product, which includes the nonmammalian transfer factor. Additionally, the egg-derived product may be substantially free of fat. Methods for forming the composition and eliciting T-cell mediated immune responses in subjects that have been treated with the composition are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A component consisting of:
 at least one fraction and/or an extract of bovine colostrum comprising mammalian transfer factor; and   chicken egg yolk comprising avian transfer factor.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum is a fraction of bovine colostrum. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one fraction of bovine colostrum is substantially free of fat. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one fraction of bovine colostrum is substantially free of at least one of casein, cells, cell debris, antibodies, and allergenic agents. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum is an extract of bovine colostrum. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum is dried bovine colostrum and the chicken egg yolk is dried chicken egg yolk. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the chicken egg yolk is a fraction of chicken egg yolk. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the chicken egg yolk is an extract of chicken egg yolk. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum and the chicken egg yolk of the component are selected, and amounts and relative proportions of the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum and the chicken egg yolk in the component are tailored to synergistically elicit an elevated cell-mediated immune response in a treated subject. 
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 9 , wherein the relative proportions of the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum and the chicken egg yolk in the component are further tailored to maintain the elevated cell-mediated immune response for a period of at least 48 hours. 
     
     
         11 . A component consisting of:
 at least one fraction and/or an extract of bovine colostrum including mammalian transfer factor; and   a fraction and/or extract of chicken egg yolk including avian transfer factor.   
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum and the fraction and/or extract of chicken egg yolk are in dry form. 
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein amounts and relative proportions of the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum and the fraction and/or extract of chicken egg yolk are tailored to synergistically elicit an elevated cell-mediated immune response in a treated subject. 
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 13 , wherein the relative proportions of the at least one fraction and/or extract of bovine colostrum and the fraction and/or extract of chicken egg yolk are further tailored to maintain the elevated cell-mediated immune response for a period of at least 48 hours. 
     
     
         15 . A component consisting of:
 at least one fraction and/or extract of a source of mammalian transfer factor, said fraction and/or extract comprising mammalian transfer factor; and   an avian transfer factor-containing component.   
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one fraction and/or extract of the source of mammalian transfer factor and the avian transfer factor-containing component are in dry form. 
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 15 , wherein amounts and relative proportions of the at least one fraction and/or extract of the source of mammalian transfer factor and the avian transfer factor-containing component are selected to synergistically elicit an elevated cell-mediated immune response in a treated subject. 
     
     
         18 . The component of  claim 17 , wherein the relative proportions of the at least one fraction and/or extract of the source of mammalian transfer factor and the avian transfer factor-containing component are further tailored to maintain the elevated cell-mediated immune response for a period of at least 48 hours.