(American Society for Microbiology) -- Antibodies from the egg yolks of immunized chickens may be an effective alternative to antibiotic treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections say Korean researchers in the September 2002 issue of the journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology.

In the study antibodies were extracted from egg yolks of immunized chickens and administered orally to Mongolian gerbils infected with H. pylori. The gerbils were then examined to determine if the antibodies were effective in decreasing damage to the stomach wall.

"The encouraging results of this study indicate that the immunoglobulin obtained from hens immunized by H. pylori may provide a novel approach to the management of H. pylori infections in humans."