Microbial contaminants and antimicrobial properties of human milk.

A review and listing of antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasite factors in human breast milk is presented. Also reviewed are the microbial contaminants such as cytomegalovirus and rubella virus, which have recently been shown to infect infants via breast milk, without adverse effects. The retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 have been detected in human milk, with the latter virus probably being transmitted through the milk. These virus contaminants can be destroyed by pasteurization of the human milk.