Norovirus-specific immunoglobulin A in breast milk for protection against norovirus-associated diarrhea among infants.

Hannah Karen Mina Labayo, Monica J. Pajuelo, Kentaro Tohma, Lauren A. Ford-Siltz, Robert H. Gilman, Lilia Cabrera, Holger Mayta, Gerardo J. Sanchez, Anniuska Toledo Cornejo, Caryn Bern, Clyde Dapat, Tomonori Nochi, Gabriel I. Parra, Hitoshi Oshitani, Mayuko Saito

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Norovirus (NV) causes acute gastroenteritis in infants. Humoral and fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses have been correlated with protection against NV; however, the role of breast milk IgA against NV infection and associated diarrhea is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of NV-specific IgA (NV-IgA) in breast milk. Methods: Ninety-five breast milk samples collected from mothers enrolled in a 2016–2017 Peruvian birth cohort study were tested for total IgA and NV-IgA by ELISA using GII·4 variants and non-GII·4 genotype virus-like particles (VLPs). Breast milk samples were grouped according to the NV infection and diarrheal status of infants: NV positive with diarrhea (NV+D+, n=18); NV positive without diarrhea (NV+D-, n=37); and NV negative without diarrhea (NV-D-, n=40). The percent positivity and titer of NV-IgA were compared among groups. The cross-reactivity was estimated based on the correlation of ratio between NV-IgA against GII·4 variants and non-GII·4 genotype VLPs. Findings: NV-IgA had high positivity rates against different VLPs, especially against GII (89–100%). The NV+D- group had higher percent positivity (89% vs. 61%, p=0·03) and median titer (1:100 vs 1:50, p=0·03) of NV-IgA than the NV+D+ group against GI·1 VLPs. A relatively high correlation between different GII·4 variants (0·87) and low correlation between genogroups (0·23–0·37) were observed. Interpretation: Mothers with high positivity rates and titers of NV-IgA in breast milk had NV infected infants with reduced diarrheal symptoms. Antigenic relatedness to the genetic diversity of human norovirus was suggested.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number100561
JournalEClinicalMedicine
Volume27
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2020

Keywords

  • Breast milk
  • Diarrhea
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Maternal immunity
  • Norovirus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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