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Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Aim

HIV-associated diarrhea is common in HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries. An earlier uncontrolled study showed that a nutritional product made from bovine colostrum (ColoPlus®) alleviates HIV-associated diarrhea. We performed a randomized single-blind controlled trial of addition of colostrum-based supplement (ColoPlus®) to standard anti-diarrhea treatment in HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhea.

Methods

Eighty-seven adult patients with HIV-associated diarrhea were recruited at Gulu Hospital and four community clinics in Northern Uganda. Forty-five patients were randomized to receive 50 g of colostrum-based supplement twice a day for 4 weeks in addition to standard anti-diarrhea treatment, and 42 patients received standard anti-diarrhea treatment alone. Patients were followed up for 9 weeks. Daily stool frequency was recorded, and body weight and body mass index were evaluated at weeks 1, 4 and 9. Baseline CD4+ count was measured at baseline and at week 9.

Results

Mean daily stool frequency decreased by 79% from 7.5 to 1.3 motions over the study period in patients on colostrum-based supplement, compared to a 58% reduction in controls (p < 0.001). Self-reported fatigue was reduced by 85% in patients on colostrum-based supplement by week 9 compared to 43% reduction amongst controls (p < 0.001). Patients on colostrum-based supplement had 11% increase (p < 0,001) in mean body weight and body mass index by week 9, but no changes were observed in control subjects. Mean CD4+ count increased by 14% for patients on colostrum-based supplement, in contrast to 12% decrease in controls (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study shows that addition of colostrum-based supplement to standard therapy is effective in treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Swedish Embassy in Uganda and Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalization, Uganda.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that Claes-Henrik Florén and Lidia Elfstrand are on the advisory board of ColoPlus AB, without up to now getting any financial compensation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Gulu University Faculty of Medicine, Gulu, Uganda

    F. O. Kaducu

  2. Gulu Independent Hospital and Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalisation, Gulu, Uganda

    S. A. Okia

  3. Community Health Department, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu, Uganda

    G. Upenytho

  4. Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden

    L. Elfstrand & C.-H. Florén

  5. Department of Clinical Sciences/Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, SE 23940, Lund, Sweden

    C.-H. Florén

Authors
  1. F. O. Kaducu
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  2. S. A. Okia
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  3. G. Upenytho
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  4. L. Elfstrand
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  5. C.-H. Florén
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C.-H. Florén.

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Kaducu, F.O., Okia, S.A., Upenytho, G. et al. Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial. Indian J Gastroenterol 30, 270–276 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-011-0146-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-011-0146-0

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