Human milk fractions inhibit the adherence of diffusely adherent Escherichia coli (DAEC) and enteroaggregative E-coli (EAEC) to HeLa cells

Binding to a specific receptor is an essential step for most enteropathogen s to initiate an intestinal infection. We analyzed the inhibitory effect of human milk and its protein components on adhesion of two diarrheagenic Esc herichia coli strains, diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) and enteroaggregat ive E. coli (EAEC), to HeLa cells. Defatted milk, whey proteins, immunoglob ulin and non-immunoglobulin fractions. in concentrations lower than usually found in whole milk, inhibited both DAEC and EAEC adhesion, indicating tha t human milk components may contribute to the defense of the infants agains t enteropathogens. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societie s. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.