Abstract
The effect of supplementary dietary protein on humoral immune capacity was assessed in overtly healthy New Guinean children aged 9-11 years attending the Bundi school. The supplemented group received an additional 25 g. of dietary protein, and the control group received the usual daily intake of about 10 g. protein. The supplemented group produced significantly more antibody after primary immunisation with flagellin than did the control group. Augmented antibody responses in the supplemented group were associated with more rapid growth over the eight-month period of study. The effects of the demonstrably suboptimal quality of the usual diet of these New Guinean children, judged by growth and immune capacity, have relevance for health in developing nations. Thus a moderate dietary protein supplement could improve immune capacity and so reduce susceptibility to infectious diseases.
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