Breast Milk Antibody to the Capsular Polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae Type b

Abstract

Breast milk has a high concentration of secretory immunoglobulin and potentially could serve as a source of passive antibody protection of infants against systemic invasion by Haemophilus influenzae type b. Specific antibody to the capsular polysaccharide of this organism was detected in the colostrum and all subsequent milk samples in 11 of 12 women with a radioactive antigen binding assay. The geometric mean concentrations of antibody were 1.99 microgram/ml in colostrum and 0.18 microgram/ml in breast milk at six weeks and after four and one-half to six months of lactation. Antibody levels in colostrum correlated positively with those in subsequent milk samples; levels after six weeks of lactation correlated highly with those present after four and one-half to six months of lactation. IgA was the predominant immunoglobulin class of anticapsular antibody in the colostrum and milk samples as detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A mucosal antibody response following systemic Haemophilus influenzae type B infection in children.

“…In preliminary experiments, using methods previously described (8), nonspecific antigen binding or inhibition of antigen binding by nasal secretions was not found in the radioantigen binding assay or the ELISA technique.…”

“…We have therefore undertaken a series of studies to gain an understanding of the mucosal immune response to Hib. Our initial report established the presence of secretory antibody to the capsule ofHib in human breast milk (8). The mode of induction and length of persistence of this secretory antibody is currently unknown.…”

Mucosal Antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae Type b Capsular Polysaccharide

“…The presence of anti-PRP IgA antibodies has been documented in several different mucosal secretions, including breast milk, nasal secretions, and saliva (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), and the levels of these antibodies in saliva have correlated with levels in nasal mucus (10). Mucosal anti-PRP-IgA antibodies are thought to be naturally occurring in adults (9,10) and, in children, have been documented as a response to Hib infection (6).…”

“…Mucosal anti-PRP-IgA antibodies are thought to be naturally occurring in adults (9,10) and, in children, have been documented as a response to Hib infection (6). After immunization with PRP vaccine, both adults and children showed a rise in the level of PRP-specific IgA antibodies in secretions (7,8).…”

Hemophilus influenzae meningitis in an adult

“…Results of other studies have agreed with the mechanism of passively acquired maternal antibody and have indicated possible involvement of breast milk antibody. 4 Active immunity has been suggested to develop by colonization with cross-reactive strains of other ba.cterta. 5 Acute onset of fever, headache, vomiting, and meningism is common with all types of meningitis, including H injluenzae meningitis.…”