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Cellular reactivity to respiratory syncytial virus in human colostrum and breast milk
Author(s) -
Scott R.,
Scott M.,
Toms G. L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890170112
Subject(s) - colostrum , virus , breast milk , bronchiolitis , lactation , respiratory system , virology , biology , immunology , lactoferrin , antibody , medicine , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics
Colostrum and breast‐milk samples were taken from 23 mothers between 2 days and 7 weeks postpartum and were examined for the presence of cellular reactivity to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus using a lymphocyte transformation assay. Positive responses were detected in nine of the 23 (39%) samples taken at 2–5 days postpartum, but this reactivity was undetectable at 3 weeks. Positive responses developed in a further three mothers during the 3–7‐week period of lactation, suggesting a response to virus infection. Colostral whey was found to suppress the cellular response to RS virus and inhibition was related to the level of specific IgA antibody to RS virus present in the whey. The role of colostral cellular reactivity in protection of breast‐fed infants from RS virus bronchiolitis is discussed.