High concentrations of interleukin 15 in breast milk are associated with protection against postnatal HIV transmission.
Given the central role that interleukin 15 (IL-15) plays in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) immunity, we hypothesized that IL-15 in breast milk may protect against postnatal HIV transmission. In a nested case-control study, we compared breast milk IL-15 levels in 22 HIV-infected women who transmitted HIV to their infants to those in 72 nontransmitters. Samples were collected in the first month of life, prior to HIV infection. IL-15 concentrations were associated with a decreased risk of HIV transmission in unadjusted analysis and after adjusting for milk viral load, CD4 cell count, and other cytokines in breast milk. IL-15-mediated immunity may protect against HIV transmission during breast-feeding.
Walter
Jan
J
Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4546 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Ghosh
Mrinal K
MK
Kuhn
Louise
L
Semrau
Katherine
K
Sinkala
Moses
M
Kankasa
Chipepo
C
Thea
Donald M
DM
Aldrovandi
Grace M
GM
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D014886:Weaning; D055815:Young Adult
D019409:Interleukin-15