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Serum antibodies to Escherichia coli in breast-fed and bottle-fed infants
1Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Insights
Antibodies against Escherichia coli are high in early human milk but absent in healthy breast-fed infants. Bottle-fed infants and those post-weaning show detectable E. coli antibodies, suggesting passive immunity is limited.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Human milk contains antibodies crucial for infant immunity.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium affecting infants.
- Understanding infant immune responses to E. coli is vital for health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and levels of antibodies against Escherichia coli (E. coli) in human milk and infant sera.
- To compare antibody titers in breast-fed, bottle-fed, and post-weaning infants.
- To assess the role of maternal antibodies in protecting infants against E. coli.
Main Methods:
- Passive hemagglutination method was used to measure antibody titers.
- Samples were collected from human milk and infant sera.
- Infant groups included breast-fed, bottle-fed, and post-weaning infants.
Main Results:
- High E. coli antibody titers were found in human milk during the first four days postpartum, decreasing rapidly thereafter.
- Healthy breast-fed infants showed no detectable serum antibodies against E. coli.
- A breast-fed infant with an E. coli abscess had detectable antibodies, as did 4/6 bottle-fed infants and all 9 post-weaning infants.
Conclusions:
- Maternal antibodies in early human milk may provide temporary protection against E. coli.
- Infants rely on their own immune systems to develop antibodies against E. coli after the initial doğum period.
- Bottle-feeding and post-weaning stages are associated with the development of infant serum antibodies against E. coli.
Abstract:
Titers of antibody against Escherichia coli in human milk and in the sera of 11 breast-fed infants, 6 bottle-fed infants and 9 infants in the post-weaning period were measured by the passive hemagglutination method. High antibody titers were observed in human milk in the first 4 days after parturition, but the titer decreased rapidly thereafter. None of the healthy, breast-fed infants had detectable serum antibodies, while a breast-fed infant with a perianal E. coli abscess had antibodies. On the other hand, 4 of the 6 bottle-fed infants and all of the 9 infants in the post-weaning period had antibodies. The significance of these results was discussed.