Microbiota in human breast milk: Noninfectious mastitis versus without mastitis

Long-term breastfeeding is beneficial for both mothers and infants and mastitis is associated with the premature interruption of breastfeeding. Mastitis can be infectious or noninfectious. However, the effect of noninfectious mastitis on milk microbiota is not well-understood. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between noninfectious mastitis and the microbiota by conducting breast milk culture tests.

We compared the milk microbiota between women with noninfectious mastitis and without mastitis. Bacterial cultures were compared in 143 milk samples from January to November 2022, and bacterial diversity was evaluated based on the total number of bacterial species and bacterial species found per specimen.

Women with noninfectious mastitis provided samples at a significantly later stage postpartum (p < 0.01). The total bacterial count was significantly lower in samples from participants with noninfectious mastitis (p < 0.01). The bacterial diversity of milk from participants with noninfectious mastitis was lower than that without mastitis: nine bacterial species identified in the former and 21 in the latter. The number of Rothia spp. was significantly higher, whereas the number of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas fluorescens was significantly lower in samples from women with mastitis. There was no correlation between postpartum week and the number of bacterial species or presence of Rothia spp.

Noninfectious mastitis is associated with a decrease in the diversity of human milk microbiota, indicating impaired immune, metabolic, and neuroendocrine development functions in infants. Rothia spp. may also be associated with noninfectious mastitis, suggesting a possible target for future research.