STABILITY THROUGH THE GASTRO-INTESTINAL TRACTUS OF NEWBORNS AND TOLERANCE OF BOVINE IMMUNOGLOBULINS WITH A HIGH AGGLUTINATION TITER AGAINST PATHOGENS ESCHERICHIA-COLI GIVEN PER-OS

The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of bovine immunoglobuline and maintenance of their efficacity given per os to newborns, and the tolerance to this preparation. This preparation is designed for prevention and/or treatment of infant gastroenteritis by passive immunity. It contains bovine immunoglobulines IgG (75% of total), IgM and IgA with a high titer against frequent serotypes of E. coli. It was given per os to 10 newborns, 8 being aged 1 to 5 months, and 2 aged 18 months. Samples of stool were collected before (controls) and after treatment (tests). Bovine IgG were estimated in the stools by standard immunodiffusion test, specific titer against coli antigens by agglutination technic. Blood formula was checked throughout. Tolerance to the preparation was good. In the stools of 9 of the 10 newborns, bovine immunoglobulines were found at higher concentrations in tests than in controls, both in term of quantity (several mg IgG per gram of stool) and in term of specificity against E. coli serotypes. The stools of one child only (aged 18 months) was negative for bovine IgG and specific immunoglobulines. These results demonstrate that bovine immunoglobulines of this preparation given per os are stable through the gastrointestinal tractus and that their specificity is maintained, in particular in children aged less than 5 months. © 1979.