Anti-HIV agent found in breast milk

Dutch researchers say an agent found in breast milk, which prevent babies contracting HIV from their mothers, might also have the potential to prevent infection in adults. The scientists at Amsterdam's Academic Medical Centre stumbled upon the substance, "Lewis X", as they sought to unravel why three quarters of all babies born to HIV-positive mothers remained free of the HI virus. Publishing their results in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, they said the substance was not the only constituent of mothers' milk that prevented HIV infection, but was an important factor. "Lewis X could be used to develop medicines that could counter HIV infection through sexual contact, and can also block the transmission of hepatitis C, Ebola and dengue fever," the experts noted. Access the findings