Breast Milk and Saliva Lactoferrin Levels and Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Very low birth weight preterm infants are at risk for life-threatening infections in the NICU. Breast milk protects against infections but carries the risk of infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) shed in mother's milk. Lactoferrin is a breast milk and saliva protein with potent neutralizing activity against CMV.

Study design

VLBW, maternal breast milk fed infants in the NICU and their lactating mothers were enrolled and followed for 3 months/discharge. Breast milk and infant saliva samples were collected biweekly. Maternal CMV status was determined on breast milk. CMV was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and lactoferrin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In an in vitro neutralization assay, the IC₉₀ of purified human

SUBMITTER: Weimer KED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9851802 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature