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Lactoferrin and SIgA Concentrations in Human Milk of SARS-CoV-Infected Mothers-Polish Cohort Study
Aleksandra Mołas1, Jolanta Lis-Kuberka2, Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura1
1Laboratory of Human Milk and Lactation Research in Warsaw Medical University at Regional Human Milk Bank in the Specialistic Holy Family Hospital in Warsaw, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Warsaw, Litewska Str. 14/16, 00-575 Warsaw, Poland.
Background: Human milk (HM) provides critical immunological support to neonates, serving as a key component of passive immunity during early life. Objectives: The main aim of this cohort study was to compare the concentrations of lactoferrin (Lf), secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and their ratios to total protein levels in the colostrum of postpartum women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls. Methods: Colostrum samples (3-5 mL) were collected from 40 mothers (20 infected, 20 healthy) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Concentrations of Lf, SIgA, and CRP were analyzed using ELISA, and total protein content was measured using the bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA). Results: The presence of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 SIgA antibodies was assessed via cassette serological lateral flow detection tests. Significant differences were observed in Lf (p = 0.04) and SIgA (p = 0.03) concentrations, both lower in the COVID-19 group. Lactoferrin medians were 12.30 g/L (infected) and 14.95 g/L (healthy), and for SIgA: 9.15 g/L vs. 15.01 g/L, respectively. No significant difference was found in CRP levels. Interestingly, the Lf/Protein ratio was significantly higher in the infected group (p = 0.03), whereas the SIgA/Protein ratio did not differ. Furthermore, 75% of infected mothers had positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 SIgA results. These mothers also showed a higher Lf/Protein ratio. Among healthy controls, 90% had negative test results. Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential compensatory role of lactoferrin in the nonspecific immune response to SARS-CoV-2, though stress-related reductions in SIgA levels cannot be excluded.
Background: Human milk (HM) provides critical immunological support to neonates, serving as a key component of passive immunity during early life. Objectives: The main aim of this cohort study was to compare the concentrations of lactoferrin (Lf), secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and their ratios to total protein levels in the colostrum of postpartum women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls. Methods: Colostrum samples (3-5 mL) were collected from 40 mothers (20 infected, 20 healthy) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Concentrations of Lf, SIgA, and CRP were analyzed using ELISA, and total protein content was measured using the bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA). Results: The presence of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 SIgA antibodies was assessed via cassette serological lateral flow detection tests. Significant differences were observed in Lf (p = 0.04) and SIgA (p = 0.03) concentrations, both lower in the COVID-19 group. Lactoferrin medians were 12.30 g/L (infected) and 14.95 g/L (healthy), and for SIgA: 9.15 g/L vs. 15.01 g/L, respectively. No significant difference was found in CRP levels. Interestingly, the Lf/Protein ratio was significantly higher in the infected group (p = 0.03), whereas the SIgA/Protein ratio did not differ. Furthermore, 75% of infected mothers had positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 SIgA results. These mothers also showed a higher Lf/Protein ratio. Among healthy controls, 90% had negative test results. Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential compensatory role of lactoferrin in the nonspecific immune response to SARS-CoV-2, though stress-related reductions in SIgA levels cannot be excluded.
