Develop immune milk products to prevent, treat infectious disease.

The immunoglobulins found in bovine colostrum provide antimicrobial protection against microbial infections and confer a passive immunity to the newborn calf until its own immune system matures. The concentration in colostrum of specific antibodies against pathogens can be raised by immunizing cows with these pathogens or their antigens.

Immune milk products are preparations made of hyperimmune colostrum or antibodies enriched from it. These preparations can be used to protect against different enteric diseases in calves and suckling pigs. Also, some immune milk products containing specific antibodies against certain pathogens have been launched on the market.

A number of clinical studies are currently in progress to evaluate the efficacy of immune milk in the prevention and treatment of various human infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bovine colostrum-based immune milk products have proven effective in prophylaxis against various infectious diseases in humans.

The aim of research in Finland has been to develop immune milk products based on bovine colostrum-derived specific antibodies and other antimicrobial components. These would be used to prevent or treat human oral and gastrointestinal diseases caused by microbes.

The effort has been carried out in cooperation with colleagues at the University of Turku and the University of Helsinki, as well as with scientists at Valio Ltd., the largest dairy company in Finland. The research was undertaken in different phases from 1994 until the end of 2001. It focused on developing immune milk products for the prevention of dental caries and for the prevention and treatment of Helicobacter-induced gastritis.

The effect of caries-immune milk preparations was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo at the University of Turku. The specific antibody preparations proved to be functional against caries-promoting streptococci, both in vitro and in a preliminary clinical trial. Researchers developed an industrial-scale process for the enrichment and storing of colostral antibodies in a biologically active form. Scientists also developed confectionery product formulas and a process for their manufacture.

Investigators have tested Helicobacter-immune milk preparations in two clinical pilot studies in gastritic humans. The scientists found that immune milk decreased the level of inflammation in gastric biopsies but did not eradicate Helicobacter. In experiments with mouse models, immune milk prevented infection efficiently.

In treating established infections, the results were parallel with those of human studies. Using immune milk in combination with an antibiotic--amoxicillin--decreased the Helicobacter colonization significantly. Amoxicillin alone had only a trend-setting efficacy. In endemic areas, small children are at highest risk to get infection. Immune milk products could reduce their risk to get Helicobacter infection.

Further information. Hannu Korhonen, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].