Human milk and colostrum are known to contain significant amounts of cellular and humoral protective factors. Since post partum transmission of HIV can occur through breast milk, it has been postulated that the transmission could be favoured by infected cells or by deficiency of anti-infective substances in breast milk. In the present study, we investigated cellular and humoral immune factors in colostrum of HIV seronegative (Control Group) and seropositive lactating mothers (Study Group). Colostrum was collected from 130 asymptomatic women, 62 HIV seropositives (study group) and 68 HIV seronegatives (control group). Fifteen ml. colostrum was collected in sterile siliconised glass test tubes, and leukocytes were isolated for cellular studies by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation. The results of cellular factors are in the table at the bottom. There was a statistically significant decrease in the phagocytic activity of macrophages and “T” cell number (p < 0.001)

Table 1 No caption available.
Full size table

Results of humoral factors: In the Study Group (n=62), the concentrations(mg/dl) of Ig A, Ig M and Ig G were 241.45 +/- 110.39, 73.63 +/- 45.88 and 9.69 +/- 7.07, respectively; while in the Control Group (n=68), the concentrations were 289.34 +/- 129.15, 75.00 +/- 47.86 and 12.62 +/- 7.97, respectively. The concentrations of IgA and IgG in the Control Group were significantly higher than in the Study Group (p<0.05)

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD