The effect of bovine colostrum on viral upper respiratory tract infections in children with immunoglobulin A deficiency

PATIROĞLU T., Kondolot M.

CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, vol.7, no.1, pp.21-26, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 7 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1752-699x.2011.00268.x
  • Journal Name: CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.21-26
  • Keywords: bovine colostrum, immunoglobulin A deficiency, salivary IgA, viral upper respiratory tract infection, IGA, DIARRHEA, SUPPLEMENTATION, ANTIBODIES, ROTAVIRUS, INDUCTION, IMMUNITY, THERAPY, AIDS
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

ntroduction:  Immunoglobulin A (IgA)-deficient patients predominantly suffer from respiratory and gastrointestinal infections since secretory IgA has important functions to protect mucosal surfaces.

Objective:  To evaluate the effect of bovine colostrum, rich in IgA, on the treatment of viral upper respiratory tract (URT) infections in IgA-deficient children.

Methods:  Thirty-one IgA-deficient children with viral URT infections were included in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and randomly oral bovine colostrum or placebo was given three times a day for 1 week. Samples of saliva IgA were collected before treatment, after the administration of the first dose, and after the last dose. Mothers of the children completed a daily questionnaire regarding the severity of the infection and any adverse effects.

Results:  The bovine colostrum group had a lower infection severity score than the placebo group after 1 week (respectively 0.81 ± 0.83, 3.00 ± 1.85; P = 0.000), but there was no difference between the salivary IgA levels of the groups.

Conclusion:  This is the first study to evaluate the effect of bovine colostrum in IgA-deficient children, and no adverse effects were observed. However, further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of bovine colostrum in IgA-deficient patients.