The role of human breast milk mucus and mucins in HIV-AIDS

Milk molecules such as mucins, antibodies, bactericidal enzymes like lysozymes and fatty acids that lyse bacteria, viral particles and bacterial peptides, offer anti-microbial activity in milk. Despite human breast milk being rich in anti-microbial substances, such as mucin, that protect against pathogens and viruses, it remains a significant route of HIV transmission from mother to child. ... The objectives of the study were to isolate, purify, identify and investigate the anti-HIV-1 activity of crude breast milk particularly the human milk fat globule material (MFGM) and its purified mucin components, in HIV positive patients (n = 20) compared with those who are not infected (n = 20). This study also tested the effect that heat (80°C, 10 min) might have on breast milk which might release the milk mucins and consequently have an inhibitory effect on HIV-1.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Surgery

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Mthembu, Yolanda

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mall, Anwar Suleman

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11999

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11999