Colostrum of cattle in the prevention of human infectious disease (literature review)

Abstract

Colostrum (or immune milk) is the first milk that mammals produce after childbirth, and its composition differs markedly from milk obtained later in lactation. Colostrum is a rich source of immunoglobulins and other biologically active components. The purpose of this literature review is to systematize research on methods of treatment and prevention of human infectious diseases using immunomodulatory and immunoprotective properties of colostrum. The open sources hosted in PubMed, Researchgate and eLibrary databases were studied. The history of the use of colostrum from hyperimmunized cows as a treatment for human diseases can be traced back to the 1950s. Many studies on the use of colostrum have explored its potential in both the prevention and treatment of various infectious diseases. The data obtained indicate the high efficiency of the use of cow colostrum and its components both for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Colostrum is capable of producing a heterologous transfer of passive immunity. The immunization protocols used in the production of immune milk can be highly variable. This is especially true for the timing of immunization. Working on immunization protocols that expose animals to specific antigens can result in enhanced humoral immune responses in the mammary gland. The most relevant is the search for ways to use immune milk as a means to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The literature review provides a description of antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and growth-stimulating factors in bovine colostrum. Examples and descriptions of homologous and heterologous transmission of passive immunity are given.