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[Contamination of expressed human milk by mycelial fungi]

Franz Reis Novak1, João Aprígio Guerra de Almeida, Manoel J S Santos

  • 1Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. novak@iff.fiocruz.br

Jornal De Pediatria
|December 4, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mycelial fungi, including Penicillium and Aspergillus, were detected in expressed human milk collected at home. This highlights the importance of hygiene during milk collection, storage, and transport to protect infants.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Food Safety

Context:

  • Human milk is a vital source of nutrition for infants, especially premature babies.
  • Home collection of expressed human milk for milk banks requires stringent hygiene protocols.
  • Microbial contamination of human milk can pose health risks to vulnerable infants.

Purpose:

  • To identify and characterize the genera of mycelial fungi present in expressed human milk collected at home.
  • To assess the prevalence of fungal contamination in human milk samples intended for a human milk bank.
  • To investigate the potential impact of home collection hygiene on milk microbial quality.

Summary:

  • A study analyzed 821 expressed human milk samples collected by donors at home.
  • Mycelial fungi were identified in 43 samples (5.2%), with Penicillium species being the most prevalent (60.4%).
  • Other identified fungi included Syncephalastrum, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus niger group, Aspergillus sp., and Rhizopus sp.

Impact:

  • Findings suggest that home collection practices can introduce fungal contamination into expressed human milk.
  • Emphasizes the critical need for adherence to proper collection, storage, and transport guidelines to ensure milk safety.
  • Highlights the potential risks of fungal contaminants in raw human milk fed to hospitalized premature infants.

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