TY - JOUR
T1 - Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 in Human Milk: Milk Conversion Rates in the Netherlands
AU - Juncker, Hannah G.
AU - Romijn, Michelle
AU - Loth, Veerle N.
AU - Ruhé, Eliza J. M.
AU - Bakker, Sjors
AU - Kleinendorst, Saskia
AU - de Groot, Christianne J. M.
AU - Pajkrt, Dasja
AU - Korosi, Aniko
AU - van Goudoever, Johannes B.
AU - van Gils, Marit J.
AU - van Keulen, Britt J.
N1 - Funding Information: This research was funded by Stichting Steun Emma Kinderziekenhuis. MJvG acknowledges the Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute for funding this work through the COVID-19 grant (24175). Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2021.
PY - 2021/8
Y1 - 2021/8
N2 - Background: It has been demonstrated that human milk from mothers who have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains antibodies against the virus, which could play an important role in protecting the recipient infant against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Seroconversion is measured frequently around the world, but the milk conversion rate is unknown. Research Aims: To determine (1) the prevalence and (2) the dynamics of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk amongst lactating mothers in the Netherlands. Methods: In this large prospective cohort study, lactating mothers (N = 2312) were included between October 12, 2020 and February 24, 2021. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine levels of IgA antibodies in human milk and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in serum against the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Results: A total of 691 (30.6%) participants had SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in human milk and/or serum. Of these participants, 524 (23.1%) had IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk, and 356 (15.7%) had IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in serum. A total of 199 (8.8%) participants had antibodies in both human milk and serum. SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA antibodies in human milk remain present at least 10 months after a polymerase chain reaction confirmed infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk was 23.1% in our cohort. This high prevalence of antibodies in human milk might lead to passive immunity in many breastfed infants and may serve as protection against COVID-19.
AB - Background: It has been demonstrated that human milk from mothers who have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains antibodies against the virus, which could play an important role in protecting the recipient infant against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Seroconversion is measured frequently around the world, but the milk conversion rate is unknown. Research Aims: To determine (1) the prevalence and (2) the dynamics of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk amongst lactating mothers in the Netherlands. Methods: In this large prospective cohort study, lactating mothers (N = 2312) were included between October 12, 2020 and February 24, 2021. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine levels of IgA antibodies in human milk and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in serum against the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Results: A total of 691 (30.6%) participants had SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in human milk and/or serum. Of these participants, 524 (23.1%) had IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk, and 356 (15.7%) had IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in serum. A total of 199 (8.8%) participants had antibodies in both human milk and serum. SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA antibodies in human milk remain present at least 10 months after a polymerase chain reaction confirmed infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk was 23.1% in our cohort. This high prevalence of antibodies in human milk might lead to passive immunity in many breastfed infants and may serve as protection against COVID-19.
KW - COVID-19
KW - breastfeeding
KW - breastmilk
KW - coronavirus
KW - immunoglobulins
KW - lactation secretory IgA
KW - spike protein
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85105875426&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/67985885/sj_pdf_1_jhl_10.1177_08903344211018185.pdf
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344211018185
DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344211018185
M3 - Article
C2 - 33982613
SN - 0890-3344
VL - 37
SP - 469
EP - 476
JO - Journal of human lactation
JF - Journal of human lactation
IS - 3
ER -