Inhibitory effects of bovine lactoferrin on the adherence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli to host cells

Adherence is an essential and prerequisite step for the colonization of muc osal surfaces by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), We studied the ef fect of bovine lactoferrin (BLF) on the adherence of ETEC to human epitheli al cells in vitro, and to intestinal mucosa of ICR germfree mice in vivo, I n the in vitro study, ELF was found to inhibit the adherence of ETEC. This adhesion-inhibiting activity of ELF was found to lessen with decreasing BLF concentration, but the data obtained suggest a positive inhibitory effect of ELF against the adhesion of ETEC cells. In the in vivo study, the counts of adherent bacteria in various sections of the intestinal tract (duodenum , jejunoileum, and large intestine) were lower in the ELF group than in the control group, suggesting the possible action of ELF as an intestinal trac t adherence-blocking agent with regards to ETEC.