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Nestlé of Switzerland says its researchers were surprised to discover a simple and safe treatment for skin infections caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria and Candida yeasts (WO 02/05839). Instead of using antibiotics or disinfectants to kill the organisms, Nestlé has developed a cream containing a derivative of casein, the main protein in milk, which stops the organisms sticking to the skin surface. A few per cent by weight of the calcium or sodium salts of the casein derivative work particularly well, and can be used either to cure existing infections or in cosmetics to prevent them starting.