The role of colostral antibodies in prevention of microbial infections

Mammalian colostrum offers passive protection to the newborn against a vari ety of microbial pathogens, in the form of specific immunoglobulin A, G and M antibodies. Sharing maternal immunological memory is in many cases vital for the infant, but may have disastrous consequences, such as involuntary transfer of disease and disturbance of the developing immune system. In mos t published studies, immune milk preparations are reported to be effective in the prevention of various gastroenteric infections, but not in the treat ment of an established infection. Curr Opin Infect Dis 14:295-300. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.