EFFECT OF SERUM FROM BREAST-FED OR FORMULA-FED INFANTS ON POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE FUNCTION

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of serum f rom formula and breast-fed infants on neutrophil function (as measured by the attachment and phagocytosis of Candida albicans) as well as th e chemoattractant activity of the serum. The results indicate that: (a ) serum from breast-fed infants induces a greater chemoattractant acti vity in neutrophils than serum from 3-month-old formula-fed infants; ( b) the highest values of the attachment capacity were obtained after i ncubation of neutrophils with serum from 1-month-old breast-fed infant s; and (c) serum from breast-fed infants induces a greater phagocytic capacity against C. albicans in neutrophils than serum from formula-fe d infants. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.