Yeast colonization of voice prostheses: pilot study investigating effect of a bovine milk product containing anti-Candida albicans immunoglobulin A antibodies on yeast colonization and valve leakage.
OBJECTIVE
Our goals were to determine whether a bovine milk product containing anti-Candida albicans immunoglobulin A antibodies ("immune milk") could reduce the adherence of C albicans to voice prosthesis silicone in vitro, and whether administration of the milk could reduce C albicans colonization and voice prosthesis damage in vivo.


METHODS
An in vitro assay of C albicans attachment to silicone was developed with radiolabeled C albicans. A pilot crossover in vivo trial, over 3 periods of 3 months, was also undertaken for 4 patients with voice prostheses, comparing daily administrations of immune milk and a control milk product. The prosthesis valves were replaced at each changeover and were assessed for wet weight of removable biofilm, yeast numbers in removable biofilm, valve leakage, and valve damage.


RESULTS
Immune milk inhibited C albicans adherence to silicone in vitro. However, in a small clinical pilot study, this effect was not replicated.


CONCLUSIONS
There is scope to further investigate the topical use of immune milk for management of voice prosthesis biofilms.
Department of Oral Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Ann R
AR
Holmes
Kenneth
K
Chong
Ely
E
Rodrigues
Richard D
RD
Cannon
Elizabeth
E
Carpenter
Dean R
DR
Ruske
Patrick J D
PJ
Dawes
D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000382:microbiology*; D008892:Milk / Q000276:immunology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012828:Silicones
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D012828:Silicones