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 enteropathogens to initiate an intestinal infection. We analyzed the inhibitory effect of human milk and its protein components on adhesion of two diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains, diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), to HeLa cells. Defatted milk, whey proteins, immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin fractions, in concentrations lower than usually found in whole milk, inhibited both DAEC and EAEC adhesion, indicating that human milk components may contribute to the defense of the infants against enteropathogens.