The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in December 2019 brought many challenges to be addressed. One concerns the possible transmission of the virus and protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 to newborns through breastfeeding. The aim of this study was the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies in the milk of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Milk and blood samples were collected from twelve women with SARS-CoV-2 positive nasopharyngeal swabs. Viral RNA was investigated by RT-PCR, and the presence of IgA, IgM, and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated in both breast milk and maternal blood. All milk samples showed negative results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Eight women (66%) had a detectable level of anti -SARS-CoV-2 IgA in their milk. Of this group, only one sample presented simultaneously serum antiviral IgM and IgG while other three samples showed only anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The remaining four mothers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA in their breast milk had no serum antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Finally, four mothers (34%) did not have any anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk and serum, except one mother who had antiviral IgG and IgA in serum. Our results suggest that breastfeeding of SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers is safe and should be encouraged as breast milk transmits maternal antiviral antibodies which protect the infant while its immune system is immature.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies in breast milk of infected mothers / Calabretto, Marianna; D'Alisa, Rossella; Faraone, Sara; Mazzuti, Laura; Pecorini, Francesco; Turriziani, Ombretta. - In: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY. - ISSN 0146-6615. - (2023), pp. 1-2. [10.1002/jmv.28142]

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies in breast milk of infected mothers

Marianna Calabretto
Primo
;
Laura Mazzuti;Francesco Pecorini
Penultimo
;
Ombretta Turriziani
Ultimo
2023

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in December 2019 brought many challenges to be addressed. One concerns the possible transmission of the virus and protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 to newborns through breastfeeding. The aim of this study was the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies in the milk of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Milk and blood samples were collected from twelve women with SARS-CoV-2 positive nasopharyngeal swabs. Viral RNA was investigated by RT-PCR, and the presence of IgA, IgM, and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated in both breast milk and maternal blood. All milk samples showed negative results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Eight women (66%) had a detectable level of anti -SARS-CoV-2 IgA in their milk. Of this group, only one sample presented simultaneously serum antiviral IgM and IgG while other three samples showed only anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The remaining four mothers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA in their breast milk had no serum antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Finally, four mothers (34%) did not have any anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk and serum, except one mother who had antiviral IgG and IgA in serum. Our results suggest that breastfeeding of SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers is safe and should be encouraged as breast milk transmits maternal antiviral antibodies which protect the infant while its immune system is immature.
2023
covid19; sars-cov-2; antibodies; breast milk; breastfeeding; viral infection
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01f Lettera, Nota
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies in breast milk of infected mothers / Calabretto, Marianna; D'Alisa, Rossella; Faraone, Sara; Mazzuti, Laura; Pecorini, Francesco; Turriziani, Ombretta. - In: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY. - ISSN 0146-6615. - (2023), pp. 1-2. [10.1002/jmv.28142]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1655353
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