Immune factors in human milk
1979
Carlsson, B. | Cruz, J.R. | Garcia, B. | Hanson, L.A. | Urrutia, J.J.
Human milk in early lactation has components with immune functions which help the breastfed infant defend against infection. Leukocytes (macrophages and T- and B-lymphocytes) and secretory IgA produce a local antibody response in the infant gastrointestinal tract. Antibodies bind to antigens of gut enterobacteria (E. coli, V. cholerae, Shigella, Salmonella) and viruses, preventing these microorganisms from attaching to the intestinal mucosa. Breast milk also contains antibodies against food proteins. By decreasing systemic exposure to potential food allergens, these antibodies prevent food allergy in the atopic infant until he can develop his own immune system. Other factors include iron-binding lactoferrin which reduces the ability of pathogens to grow in the infant gut; lysozyme and bifidus factors promote the growth of lactobacilli over E. coli. These host-defense factors in human milk may explain why breastfed infants exhibit fewer gastrointestinal infections than babies fed artificial formula.
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