IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A ANTIBODIES DIRECTED AGAINST CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI FLAGELLIN PRESENT IN BREAST-MILK

We studied the relationship between IgA anti-campylobacter flagellin a ntibodies in breast milk samples and protection of breastfed infants l iving in a rural Mexican village from campylobacter infection. There w ere fewer episodes of campylobacter infection (symptomatic and asympto matic combined) in infants breastfed with milk containing specific ant i-flagellin antibodies (1.2/child/year, 95 % CI 0.6-1.8) versus non-br eastfed children (3.3/child/year, 95 % CI 1.8-4.8; P < 0.01). Infants breastfed with milk that was antiflagellin antibody negative by ELISA also had fewer episodes of infection compared with non-breastfed child ren, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (1.8/ch ild/year, 95 % CI 0.7-3.0 versus 3.3/child/year, 95 % CI 1.8-4.8, P > 0.05). Breastfeeding has a protective effect against campylobacter inf ection and is associated with the presence of specific antibodies dire cted against campylobacter flagellin.