IMMUNOGENICITY AND ANTIGENICITY OF A PARTIALLY HYDROLYZED COWS MILK INFANT FORMULA

We evaluated the immunogenicity and antigenicity of a formula based on partially hydrolyzed cow's milk whey protein in infants at risk of at opy and in controls. Total IgE and specific IgE, IgG, and IgG4 subclas s antibodies against egg albumin and cow's milk alpha-lactalbumin, cas ein, and beta-lactoglobulin were measured by radioimmunoassay of cord blood and of peripheral blood at 5 days and 6 months of life in five g roups of infants: 16 breast-fed infants at risk of atopy (group 1), 21 partially hydrolyzed whey formula-fed infants at risk of atopy (group 2), 14 formula-fed infants at risk of atopy (group 3), 10 breast-fed control infants (group 4), and 13 formula-fed control infants (group 5 ). Total IgE concentration was significantly lower in group 2 at 6 mon ths than in groups 3 and 5 infants and similar to that observed in gro ups 1 and 4 infants. The concentration of specific antiegg and anti-co w's milk protein IgG and of specific anti-cow's milk alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin IgG4 subclass antibodies was significantly red uced in group 2 as compared to group 3 infants and similar to that fou nd in breastfed infants. In conclusion, the partially hydrolyzed formu la was less immunogenic and antigenic than a traditional formula and w as as immunogenic and antigenic as breast milk.