Specific immunoglobulin A antibodies in maternal milk and delayed Helicobacter pylori colonization in Gambian infants.
BACKGROUND
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in maternal milk may protect Gambian infants from early Helicobacter pylori colonization. This study sought evidence that this protection could be due to specific IgA antibodies.


METHODS
Sixty-five infants were screened from 12 weeks of age with [13C]-urea breath tests. Antibodies in maternal milk were measured to determine total IgA content and to detect specific IgA antibodies against crude whole-cell and recombinant H. pylori urease antigen preparations.


RESULTS
Ten children (15%) had no evidence of early H. pylori colonization, 10 (15%) had early H. pylori colonization, and 43 (66%) had mixed results. Levels of maternal circulating specific immunoglobulin G, total milk IgA, and IgA directed against crude whole-cell H. pylori antigen preparation were not significantly associated with the rate of infant H. pylori colonization. However, mothers of infants with no evidence of early colonization produced significantly higher levels of anti-recombinant urease IgA antibodies in milk than did control mothers, particularly at 8, 16, and 20 weeks postpartum (P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These observations support the hypothesis that antibodies in mother's milk directed against H. pylori urease can protect against colonization in human infancy.
Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Keneba, The Gambia. J.E.Thomas@ncl.ac.uk
Julian E
JE
Thomas
James E G
JE
Bunn
Harry
H
Kleanthous
Thomas P
TP
Monath
Marilyn
M
Harding
W Andrew
WA
Coward
Lawrence T
LT
Weaver
D002353:Carrier State; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G