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Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets
Published on: September 6, 2019
Vertical transmission of HIV-1 infection and dilemma of infant feeding
1Microbiology and Tumour Biology Centre, and the Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Pathology, Division of Clinical Virology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. anneka.ehrnst@mtc.ki.se
Unlabelled:
The problem of giving proper recommendations on early feeding of infants of HIV-1-positive mothers in countries with deficient hygienic conditions is discussed. Even in exclusive breastfeeding, which is associated with a lower risk of HIV transmission than when supplements are given, the risk that the infant will acquire HIV-1 has to be balanced against the risk of formula feeding. Furthermore, it also has to be stressed that exclusive breastfeeding is a rarity in many poor countries.
Conclusion:
The dilemma of recommending appropriate early feeding to HIV-1-positive mothers will persist until further studies of the type performed by the Coutsoudis group in South Africa have been performed.
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