Breast-feeding protects infantile diarrhea caused by intestinal protozoan infections

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Persistent diarrhea in infants is often linked to protozoan infections.
• Breast-feeding is a crucial factor in infant immunity and nutrition.
• Understanding the protective mechanisms of breast-feeding against infections is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effect of breast-feeding against protozoan infections in infants suffering from persistent diarrhea.
• To compare the prevalence and intensity of protozoan infections between breast-fed and non-breast-fed infants.
• To assess the role of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in this protective effect.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 322 infants with persistent diarrhea, divided into breast-fed and non-breast-fed groups.
• Microscopic stool examination for the detection and intensity assessment of protozoan parasites.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure serum levels of IgE and TNF-α.

Main Results:

• Protozoan infections including Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis sp. were identified.
• The incidence of protozoan infections was significantly lower in breast-fed infants compared to non-breast-fed infants.
• Serum levels of IgE and TNF-α were significantly lower in breast-fed infants, with positive associations between these markers and infection intensity.

Conclusions:

• Breast-feeding demonstrates a significant attenuating effect on the rate and intensity of protozoan infections in infants with persistent diarrhea.
• Lower levels of IgE and TNF-α in breast-fed infants may contribute to their reduced susceptibility to parasitic infections.
• Breast-feeding is a key strategy for preventing and managing protozoan infections in vulnerable infants.