Placental acquisition of maternal specific IgG and Helicobacter pylori colonization in infancy.
BACKGROUND
Colonization with Helicobacter pylori generally occurs in infancy, and the microorganism is often acquired from close family members. Rate of infant colonization may be affected by maternal immune status.


METHODS
To investigate the potential protective effect of anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) acquired via the placenta, 65 mothers and their infants were studied from the infant's birth for 1 year. Circulating IgG antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in cord blood and every 8 weeks. Immunoblotting was performed on sera from infants with significant increases in IgG levels. Rate of infant H. pylori colonization was measured by 13C urea breath tests every 4 weeks from the age of 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Maternal and infant cord blood specific IgG levels were correlated (R2 =.747, p <.001). Infant H. pylori specific IgG fell 5-fold compared to maternal levels over the first 6 months of life, and rose subsequently in many cases, with the development of novel immunoblot patterns. There were no significant associations between the age at first positive urea breath test and maternal or infant cord specific H. pylori IgG levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Transplacentally acquired specific IgG antibody does not protect infants from colonization by H. pylori.
Bunn
James E G
JE
Department of Tropical Child Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
Thomas
Julian E
JE
Harding
Marilyn
M
Coward
W Andrew
WA
Weaver
Lawrence T
LT
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001944:Breath Tests; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014508:Urea