title: Treatment of IgA deficiency in liver transplant recipients with human breast milk.
abstract: IgA deficiency is associated with high mortality (42% at 120 days) following liver transplantation (OLTx). Most of the mortality has been associated with enteric infections. Mother's milk, or human breast milk (HBM), is a rich source of IgA that is considered to have beneficial effects in terms of protection from microbial translocation and enteric infections. Two IgA-deficient OLTx recipients were given HBM orally for 10 days perioperatively. HBM was given in order to replenish intestinal IgA. Both patients had an excellent infection-free post-operative course. IgA levels in the serum rose from 5 to 10 mg/dl in one patient and from 7 to 30 mg/dl in the other. No complications from HBM administration were observed. We conclude that HBM can be used in IgA-deficient liver transplant recipients to reduce the risk of infectious complications in the post-operative period.
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma Transplantation Institute, Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City 73112-4481, USA.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Merhav
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mieles
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Van Thiel
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D006801:Humans; D017098:IgA Deficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008895:Milk, Human
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A