SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibody detection in breast milk from a prospective multicentre study in Spain. Issue 2 (20th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bäuerl, Christine; Randazzo, Walter; Sánchez, Gloria; Selma-Royo, Marta; García Verdevio, Elia; Martínez, Laura; Parra-Llorca, Anna; Lerin, Carles; Fumadó, Victoria; Crovetto, Francesca; Crispi, Fatima; Pérez-Cano, Francisco J; Rodríguez, Gerardo; Ruiz-Redondo, Gemma; Campoy, Cristina; Martínez-Costa, Cecilia; Collado, Maria Carmen
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Crehuá-Gaudiza Elena author non-byline.; Estañ-Capell Javier author non-byline.; Obiol Asuncion author non-byline.; Balanza Reyes author non-byline.; Solaz-García Álvaro author non-byline.; Lara-Cantón Inmaculada author non-byline.; Garcia Cristina author non-byline.; Barnés María Ríos author non-byline.; Ruiz Sara author non-byline.; Fabre Marta author non-byline.; García-García Federico author non-byline.; Rodríguez-Lagunas Maria José author non-byline.; Río-Aigé Karla author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 216
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2021-08-20
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- microbiology -- neonatology -- global health; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322463
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To develop and validate a specific protocol for SARS-CoV-2 detection in breast milk matrix and to determine the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the presence, concentration and persistence of specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Design and patients: This is a prospective, multicentre longitudinal study (April–December 2020) in 60 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or who have recovered from COVID-19. A control group of 13 women before the pandemic were also included. Setting: Seven health centres from different provinces in Spain. Main outcome measures: Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breast milk, targeting the N1 region of the nucleocapsid gene and the envelope (E) gene; presence and levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulins (Igs)—IgA, IgG and IgM—in breast milk samples from patients with COVID-19. Results: All breast milk samples showed negative results for presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. We observed high intraindividual and interindividual variability in the antibody response to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for each of the three isotypes IgA, IgM and IgG. Main Protease (MPro) domain antibodies were also detected in milk. 82.9% (58 of 70) of milk samples were positive for at least one of the three antibody isotypes, with 52.9% of these positive for all three Igs. Positivity rate for IgA was relatively stable over time (65.2%–87.5%), whereas it raised continuously for IgG (from 47.8% for the first 10 days to 87.5% from day 41 up to day 206 post-PCR confirmation). Conclusions: Our study confirms the safety of breast feeding and highlights the relevance of virus-specific SARS-CoV-2 antibody transfer. This study provides crucial data to support official breastfeeding recommendations based on scientific evidence. Trial registration number NCT04768244 . Abstract : ARS-CoV-2 antibodies but not RNA are found in breast milk from COVID-19 infected mothers.