title: IgA1 levels in milk and serum samples from intestinal parasite-infected or normal puerperae.
abstract: In this study, IgA1 levels in the milk and serum of puerperae were compared and a correlation was established between the levels of this immunoglobulin and the occurrence of parasitism. Eighty-three paired milk and serum samples were obtained from puerperal and IgA1 levels were analyzed. In addition, the presence of intestinal parasites in stool samples from these puerperae was determined. Twelve puerperae tested positive for intestinal parasites and all their samples presented an IgA1 ELISA Index > 1. There was a correlation between serum and milk IgA1 levels and puerperae with any parasite in their stool (r = 0.6723; p = 0.0166). This finding may reinforce the importance of breast-feeding for the protection of neonates.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brasi.
authors.forename: Marianna Nascimento
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Manhani
authors.forename: Julia Maria Costa
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Daniela Marques de Lima Mota
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Vânia Olivetti Steffen
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Souza
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D049590:Postpartum Period
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A