Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 IgA antibody in breast milk and serum.
Breast-feeding plays a potentially significant role in mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The additional transmission risk attributable to breast-feeding and the factors that enhance or inhibit transmission are presently unknown. One mechanism by which breast milk might inhibit HIV-1 transmission is the presence of specific antibodies directed against HIV-1 in breast milk of seropositive mothers. In this study serum and breast milk samples from women in Nairobi, Kenya, were tested to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 IgA antibodies. A Western blot test developed in our laboratory was used to detect anti-HIV-1 immunoglobulin A in serum and anti-HIV-1 secretory IgA (sIgA) in breast milk. Ninety-four percent of 63 HIV-1 seropositive women had anti-HIV-1 IgA in serum and 59% had anti-HIV-1 sIgA in their breast milk. No significant associations with maternal characteristics or serum anti-HIV-1 IgA or IgG banding patterns and the presence of anti-HIV-1 sIgA in breast milk were found. No protective effect of anti-HIV-1 sIgA was seen regarding mother to child transmission; however, further studies are necessary to determine the effect of these antibodies in maternal sera or in breast milk on the efficacy of HIV-1 transmission.
Duprat
C
C
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Mohammed
Z
Z
Datta
P
P
Stackiw
W
W
Ndinya-Achola
J O
JO
Kreiss
J K
JK
Holmes
K K
KK
Plummer
F A
FA
Embree
J E
JE
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G