Cessation
of Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea in an acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome patient after treatment with hyperimmune bovine colostrum
BL Ungar, DJ
Ward, R Fayer and CA Quinn
Division of Tropical Public Health, Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite of the human gastrointestinal tract
that can cause life-threatening diarrhea in immunodeficient patients.
Although more than 80 agents have been tried with occasional anecdotal
success, treatment remains primarily limited to hydration. A 38-yr-old
homosexual man with antibody to human immunodeficiency virus and Cryptosporidium-related
diarrhea is described. The patient excreted 6- 12 L of stool per day
for at least 3 mo, 2 of them spent in the hospital. Trials with more
than 6 antidiarrheal medications were ineffective. The patient received
bovine colostrum hyperimmune to Cryptosporidium by direct duodenal
infusion. During infusion, the patient's fecal output decreased to
less than 2 L per day, and 48 h after treatment, stools were formed
and oocysts to Cryptosporidium were absent. The patient remained asymptomatic
for 3 mo. Hyperimmune bovine colostrum offers an exciting new therapy
for cryptosporidiosis; controlled trials to establish efficacy should
be undertaken and the active factor(s) characterized.
N. Engl. J. Med. 1988 318: 1240-1243. Volume 318:1240-1243 May 12,
1988
Number 19
Articles
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