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

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 to...