Immunoprotective factors of colostrum and breast milk

ABSTRACT

In this work we studied the immunological and bacteriological aspects of breast milk. The study was conducted on 70 lactating normal women. The major classes of immunoglobulins [Ig[A], Ig[G] and Ig[M]] were present in the milk throughout the period of lactation [18 months], it was observed that the highest concentration of immunoglobulins occurred in the early colostrum. Leucocytes were present in colostrum in counts similar to that present in blood. The macrophages represented the main type of cells. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were also present. The phagocytic activity of milk leucocytes was higher than that of blood leucocytes. Milk and colostrum were contaminated with large numbers of bacteria. The colony forming unit/ml was less than 1X 10[5]. It was similar in both colostrum and milk samples. 70% of the isolated organisms were commensal organisms largely represent skin flora as coagulase negative Staph, micrococcus and diphtheroid. Potentially pathogens as Staph aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella and Streptococcus viridans were also isolated from colostrum and milk samples. We conclude that colostrum and milk protect, the infant from infection