S. Thurl et al., LEWIS BLOOD-GROUPS OF BREAST-FEEDING WOMEN TESTED SEROLOGICALLY AND BY CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF HUMAN-MILK OLIGOSACCHARIDES, Milchwissenschaft, 53(3), 1998, pp. 127-129
Oligosaccharides representing Lewis antigens from human milk samples o
f 29 breastfeeding women were analysed using a recently established hi
gh pH anion-exchange chromatographic (HPAEC) method. Lewis blood group
s of the women were also determined by serologic analysis of Lea and L
eb antigens on erythrocytes. Chromatographic and serologic analyses of
Lewis blood groups revealed contradictory results in 12 cases. The re
sults obtained by HPAEC were confirmed by serologic reanalyses at 18-2
4 months after birth. This means that shortly after birth Lewis antige
ns in the form of milk oligosaccharides are more easily detectable tha
n Lewis antigens on erythrocytes. Thus, HPAEC analysis of free milk ol
igosaccharides could be an alternative method for Lewis blood group ty
ping during the first weeks p.p.