Microorganisms in human milk: lights and shadows. (19th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Civardi, Elisa; Garofoli, Francesca; Tzialla, Chryssoula; Paolillo, Piermichele; Bollani, Lina; Stronati, Mauro
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 26(2013)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2013-09-19
• Subjects: Breastfeeding -- expressed breast milk -- human milk -- infectious disease transmission -- mammary microbiota -- probiotics -- vaccination; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2013.829693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Human milk has been traditionally considered germ free, however, recent studies have shown that it represents a continuous supply of commensal and potentially probiotic bacteria to the infant gut. Mammary microbioma may exercise anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and metabolic properties. Moreover human milk may be a source of pathogenic microorganism during maternal infection, if contaminated during expression or in case of vaccination of the mother. The non-sterility of breast milk can, thus, be seen as a protective factor, or rarely, as a risk factor for the newborn.