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. 1986 Aug;30(2):254–257. doi: 10.1128/aac.30.2.254

Killing of Giardia lamblia by human milk is mediated by unsaturated fatty acids.

L Rohrer, K H Winterhalter, J Eckert, P Köhler
PMCID: PMC180529  PMID: 3767341

Abstract

Giardia lamblia trophozoites were killed in vitro by 1% fresh human milk in the presence of bile. A similar effect was achieved in the absence of bile with milk which had been stored for at least 24 h at 6 degrees C. This killing activity was found to be caused by unsaturated fatty acids. Depending on their chain length and the number of double bonds, the concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids required for a 50% killing effect varied between 15 and 36 microM. The saturated palmitic and stearic acids, as well as various substances related to fatty acids, showed only a slight killing effect. Bile enhanced and serum suppressed the action of fatty acids on the protozoan parasite. The possible site of interference of unsaturated fatty acids within G. lamblia and the reasons for the obvious inefficacy of dietary fatty acids in giardiasis are discussed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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