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

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 61 - 66
• Main Authors: Holmes, Ann R., Chong, Kenneth, Rodrigues, Ely, Cannon, Richard D., Carpenter, Elizabeth, Ruske, Dean R., Dawes, Patrick J. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2012; Annals Publishing Compagny; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Animals; Biofilms; Biological and medical sciences; Candida albicans - immunology; Candida albicans - physiology; Cattle; Cell Adhesion; Equipment Contamination - prevention & control; Humans; Immunoglobulin A - immunology; Immunoglobulin A - therapeutic use; Larynx, Artificial - microbiology; Medical sciences; Milk - immunology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pilot Projects; Prosthesis Failure; Silicones; Candida albicans; Provox 2 speech valve; laryngectomy; biofilm; IgA; Yeast; Bovine; Artificial larynx; Antibody; Product; ENT; Laryngectomy; Fungi; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Treatment; Surgery; Biofilm; Voice prosthesis; Speech; Valve; Artiodactyla; Fungi Imperfecti; Ungulata; Colonization
• ISSN: 0003-4894; 1943-572X
• DOI: 10.1177/000348941212100111

Objectives: 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 change-over 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.