Immunoglobulin A antibodies directed againstCampylobacter jejuniflagellin present in breast–milk

Abstract

We studied the relationship between IgA anti–campylobacter flagellin antibodies in breast milk samples and protection of breastfed infants living in a rural Mexican village from campylobacter infection. There were fewer episodes of campylobacter infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic combined) in infants breastfed with milk containing specific anti-flagellin antibodies (1.2/child/year, 95% CI 0.6–1.8) versus non–breastfed 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 children, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (1.8/child/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 infection and is associated with the presence of specific antibodies directed against campylobacter flagellin.