Milk-Precipitating Substance in the Stool in Gastrointestinal Milk Sensitivity

Abstract

An association between the presence in the stool of precipitating substances to cow's milk and the occurrence of milk-induced gastrointestinal bleeding, protein loss and diarrhea was demonstrated in four children. This precipitating substance was not found in the stools of patients with a variety of diarrheal and other disorders. It is suggested that an antigen-antibody reaction is involved in the precipitation of milk protein by the fecal substance and that this substance is a coproantibody. No precipitins to milk proteins were detected in their serums, but titers to alpha lactalbumin were high in three of the four children. Immunologic mechanisms may be involved in gastrointestinal milk sensitivity, although the role of antibodies in the pathogenesis of the disorder might only be a secondary one.