Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.

<h4>Objective</h4>We investigated the levels and antimicrobial activity of antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) in breast milk consumed by preterm infants, and whether deficiencies of these factors were associated with late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS), a bacterial infection that fr...

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Main Authors: Stephanie Trend, Tobias Strunk, Julie Hibbert, Chooi Heen Kok, Guicheng Zhang, Dorota A Doherty, Peter Richmond, David Burgner, Karen Simmer, Donald J Davidson, Andrew J Currie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2015-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117038
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author Stephanie Trend
Tobias Strunk
Julie Hibbert
Chooi Heen Kok
Guicheng Zhang
Dorota A Doherty
Peter Richmond
David Burgner
Karen Simmer
Donald J Davidson
Andrew J Currie
author_facet Stephanie Trend
Tobias Strunk
Julie Hibbert
Chooi Heen Kok
Guicheng Zhang
Dorota A Doherty
Peter Richmond
David Burgner
Karen Simmer
Donald J Davidson
Andrew J Currie
author_sort Stephanie Trend
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Objective</h4>We investigated the levels and antimicrobial activity of antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) in breast milk consumed by preterm infants, and whether deficiencies of these factors were associated with late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS), a bacterial infection that frequently occurs in preterm infants in the neonatal period.<h4>Study design</h4>Breast milk from mothers of preterm infants (≤ 32 weeks gestation) was collected on days 7 (n = 88) and 21 (n = 77) postpartum. Concentrations of lactoferrin, LL-37, beta-defensins 1 and 2, and alpha-defensin 5 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antimicrobial activity of breast milk samples against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae was compared to the activity of infant formula, alone or supplemented with physiological levels of AMPs. Samples of breast milk fed to infants with and without subsequent LOS were compared for levels of AMPs and inhibition of bacterial growth.<h4>Results</h4>Levels of most AMPs and antibacterial activity in preterm breast milk were higher at day 7 than at day 21. Lactoferrin was the only AMP that limited pathogen growth >50% when added to formula at a concentration equivalent to that present in breast milk. Levels of AMPs were similar in the breast milk fed to infants with and without LOS, however, infants who developed LOS consumed significantly less breast milk and lower doses of milk AMPs than those who were free from LOS.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The concentrations of lactoferrin and defensins in preterm breast milk have antimicrobial activity against common neonatal pathogens.
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spelling doaj-art-a6cc5e884db44c7c8389ef589439211f2025-08-20T02:34:13ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032015-01-01102e011703810.1371/journal.pone.0117038Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.Stephanie TrendTobias StrunkJulie HibbertChooi Heen KokGuicheng ZhangDorota A DohertyPeter RichmondDavid BurgnerKaren SimmerDonald J DavidsonAndrew J Currie<h4>Objective</h4>We investigated the levels and antimicrobial activity of antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) in breast milk consumed by preterm infants, and whether deficiencies of these factors were associated with late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS), a bacterial infection that frequently occurs in preterm infants in the neonatal period.<h4>Study design</h4>Breast milk from mothers of preterm infants (≤ 32 weeks gestation) was collected on days 7 (n = 88) and 21 (n = 77) postpartum. Concentrations of lactoferrin, LL-37, beta-defensins 1 and 2, and alpha-defensin 5 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antimicrobial activity of breast milk samples against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae was compared to the activity of infant formula, alone or supplemented with physiological levels of AMPs. Samples of breast milk fed to infants with and without subsequent LOS were compared for levels of AMPs and inhibition of bacterial growth.<h4>Results</h4>Levels of most AMPs and antibacterial activity in preterm breast milk were higher at day 7 than at day 21. Lactoferrin was the only AMP that limited pathogen growth >50% when added to formula at a concentration equivalent to that present in breast milk. Levels of AMPs were similar in the breast milk fed to infants with and without LOS, however, infants who developed LOS consumed significantly less breast milk and lower doses of milk AMPs than those who were free from LOS.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The concentrations of lactoferrin and defensins in preterm breast milk have antimicrobial activity against common neonatal pathogens.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117038
spellingShingle Stephanie Trend
Tobias Strunk
Julie Hibbert
Chooi Heen Kok
Guicheng Zhang
Dorota A Doherty
Peter Richmond
David Burgner
Karen Simmer
Donald J Davidson
Andrew J Currie
Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.
PLoS ONE
title Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.
title_full Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.
title_fullStr Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.
title_full_unstemmed Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.
title_short Antimicrobial protein and Peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late-onset neonatal sepsis.
title_sort antimicrobial protein and peptide concentrations and activity in human breast milk consumed by preterm infants at risk of late onset neonatal sepsis
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117038
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