Related Experiment Videos
Human milk kills parasitic intestinal protozoa.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 23, 1983
Summary
Human milk effectively kills Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica, common intestinal parasites. This protective effect is linked to a unique human milk lipase, not secretory immunoglobulin A, suggesting a role in infant protection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are significant human intestinal pathogens.
- Infant nutrition and protection against enteric infections are critical public health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro efficacy of human milk against Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica.
- To identify the component(s) in human milk responsible for parasiticidal activity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro exposure of Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica to normal human milk.
- Assays to determine the role of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA).
- Cochromatography to isolate the active component.
Main Results:
- Normal human milk rapidly killed both Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica.
- The killing activity was independent of secretory immunoglobulin A.
- The parasiticidal activity cochromatographed with a lipase unique to human milk.
Conclusions:
- Human milk possesses potent in vitro activity against key intestinal parasites.
- A human milk-specific lipase is likely responsible for the observed Giardia-cidal and Entamoeba-cidal effects.
- Human milk may offer crucial protection to infants against these common parasitic infections.