Bovine
colostrum ameliorates diarrhea
J Pediatr Gastroenterol
Nutr 1999 Oct;29(4):452-6 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut
Bovine colostrum
ameliorates diarrhea in infection with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli,
shiga toxin-producing E. Coli, and E. coli expressing intimin and
hemolysin.
Huppertz HI,
Rutkowski S, Busch DH, Eisebit R, Lissner R, Karch H.
Children's Hospital,
The University of Wurzburg, Germany.
BACKGROUND:
Diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli may cause serious extraintestinal complications,
but there is no specific treatment. METHODS: Patients with diarrhea
caused by diarrheagenic E. coli, specifically Shiga toxin-producing
E. coli and E. coli-expressing intimin and enterohemorrhagic E. coli-hemolysin
were treated by administration of pooled bovine colostrum, rich in
antibodies to Shiga toxin and enterohemorrhagic E. coli-hemolysin,
in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Symptom resolution and
fecal excretion of infecting strains were assessed.
RESULTS:
No side effects
were attributable to colostrum. Stool frequencies in the group treated
with bovine colostrum were significantly reduced compared with those
in the placebo group. No effect of therapy on the carriage of the
pathogens or on complications of the infection could be demonstrated.
CONCLUSIONS:
Bovine colostrum
is well tolerated and diminishes frequency of loose stools in children
with E. coli-associated diarrhea. A prospective study should be conducted
among a larger number of children with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
identified early in illness, to determine the effectiveness of colostrum
therapy.
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