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Li X, Hu Y, Lv Y, Obore N, Wang Y, Yu H. SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Human Milk After mRNA and Adenovector-Based Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Hum Lact 2024:8903344241252645. [PMID: 38798078 DOI: 10.1177/08903344241252645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies exist in human milk expressed by lactating parents after vaccination. In the existing research, the effects of vaccine types on human milk are inconsistent. RESEARCH AIM This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing observational studies to compare the positive rates of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in human milk according to mRNA and adenovector-based vaccination. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier Science Direct and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published from December 30, 2019 to February 15, 2023. Observational studies were considered eligible provided they reported data on SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in human milk. The risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) were used to assess risk of bias. Seven studies, including 511 lactating participants, were included in this review and meta-analysis. RESULTS The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgA is higher in mRNA vaccine groups than in adenovector-based vaccine groups (OR = 4.80, 95% CI [3.04, 7.58], p < 0.001). The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG was higher in mRNA vaccines than in adenovector-based vaccines. CONCLUSIONS Compared to adenovector-based vaccines, mRNA vaccines present a higher positivity rate of IgA and IgG in human milk after vaccination. In other words, mRNA vaccinations may offer breastfed children a higher level of protection than adenovector-based vaccinations. Further high-quality data is still required to substantiate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - You Lv
- Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Nathan Obore
- Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - YiXiao Wang
- Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Hamouda NI, Amin AM, Hasan MT, Baghagho E. Persistence of COVID-19 Human Milk Antibodies After Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination: Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis. Cureus 2024; 16:e59500. [PMID: 38826925 PMCID: PMC11144042 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend vaccination of pregnant and lactating women, aiming to protect both mothers and their infants through transplacental and human milk antibody transmission. This study aims to assess the quantity of antibodies in human milk and determine the effect of time, vaccine type, and dose on antibody level. Single-arm prospective observational studies reporting the COVID-19-specific antibody level in human milk after COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy or lactation were included. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, EBSCO, and Web of Science were searched from December 2019 to November 22, 2022. Data were extracted in a uniform Google sheet. A total of 2657 studies were identified. After the removal of duplicates and screening, 24 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-regression. Human milk COVID-19-specific antibody levels increased with subsequent vaccine doses, as reflected by a positive relationship for the second (coefficient=0.91, P-value 0.043 for IgA and coefficient=1.77, P-value 0.009 for IgG) and third (coefficient=1.23, P-value 0.0029 for IgA and coefficient=3.73, P-value 0.0068 for IgG) doses. The antibody level exhibited a weak positive relationship with the follow-up time (coefficient=0.13, P-value 0.0029 for IgA and coefficient=0.18, P-value 0.016 for IgG). Only one of the 38 infants showed detectable COVID-19 IgM and IgA antibody levels in their blood. There was an increase in the neutralizing activity of COVID-19 antibodies in human milk following the COVID-19 vaccination. From the analysis of published data, we found high positive levels of antibodies in human milk that increased with subsequent doses. Additionally, the human milk antibodies exhibit a positive neutralizing effect. Only one infant had detectable COVID-19 IgM+IgA antibodies in the blood. Further research is needed to discuss infant protection through a mother's vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naema I Hamouda
- Neonatology, El-Sahel Teaching Hospital/General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Cairo, EGY
| | | | - Mohammed T Hasan
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, EGY
| | - Ehssan Baghagho
- Public Health, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Cairo, EGY
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Suteerojntrakool O, Mekangkul E, Maitreechit D, Khabuan S, Sodsai P, Hirankarn N, Thumbovorn R, Chomtho S. Preservation of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in Breast Milk: Impact of Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection. Breastfeed Med 2024; 19:340-348. [PMID: 38506333 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2023.0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate specific immunoglobulin A (sIgA), specific immunoglobulin G (sIgG), and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in breast milk and compare immunity in mothers with hybrid immunity (infection and vaccination) versus those solely vaccinated (coronavirus disease [COVID]-naïve). Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted among lactating mothers who received at least two doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine or tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Details of vaccination and infection were collected through questionnaires and interviews. Fifteen milliliters of breast milk samples, self-collected at 1, 3, and 6 months postvaccination or infection, were sent to analysis for sIgA, sIgG, and NAbs using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In total, 119 lactating mothers (202 milk samples) were enrolled; 82 participants had hybrid immunity, and 32 were COVID-19-naïve. Two-thirds received a combination of different vaccines and booster shots. Breast milk retained sIgA, sIgG, and NAbs for up to 6 months post-COVID vaccination or infection. At 3 months, mothers with hybrid immunity had significantly higher sIgA and NAbs compared with COVID-naïve mothers (geometric mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] of sIgA 2.72 [1.94-3.8] vs. 1.44 [0.83-2.48]; NAbs 86.83 [84.9-88.8] vs. 81.28 [76.02-86.9]). No differences in sIgA, sIgG, and NAbs were observed between lactating mothers receiving two, three, or more than or equal to three doses, regardless of hybrid immunity or COVID-naïve status. Conclusion: sIgA, sIgG, and NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk sustained for up to 6 months postimmunization and infection. Higher immunity was found in mothers with hybrid immunity. These transferred immunities confirm in vitro protection, supporting the safety of breastfeeding during and after COVID-19 vaccination or infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orapa Suteerojntrakool
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Ambulatory Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Eakkarin Mekangkul
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Siriporn Khabuan
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pimpayao Sodsai
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattiya Hirankarn
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rungtip Thumbovorn
- Department of Microbiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirinuch Chomtho
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Guedalia J, Lipschuetz M, Cahen-Peretz A, Cohen SM, Sompolinsky Y, Shefer G, Melul E, Ergaz-Shaltiel Z, Goldman-Wohl D, Yagel S, Calderon-Margalit R, Beharier O. Maternal hybrid immunity and risk of infant COVID-19 hospitalizations: national case-control study in Israel. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2846. [PMID: 38565530 PMCID: PMC10987618 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hybrid immunity, acquired through vaccination followed or preceded by a COVID-19 infection, elicits robust antibody augmentation. We hypothesize that maternal hybrid immunity will provide greater infant protection than other forms of COVID-19 immunity in the first 6 months of life. We conducted a case-control study in Israel, enrolling 661 infants up to 6 months of age, hospitalized with COVID-19 (cases) and 59,460 age-matched non-hospitalized infants (controls) between August 24, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Infants were grouped by maternal immunity status at delivery: Naïve (never vaccinated or tested positive, reference group), Hybrid-immunity (vaccinated and tested positive), Natural-immunity (tested positive before or during the study period), Full-vaccination (two-shot regimen plus 1 booster), and Partial-vaccination (less than full three shot regimen). Applying Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratios, which was then converted to percent vaccine effectiveness, and using the Naïve group as the reference, maternal hybrid-immunity provided the highest protection (84% [95% CI 75-90]), followed by full-vaccination (66% [95% CI 56-74]), natural-immunity (56% [95% CI 39-68]), and partial-vaccination (29% [95% CI 15-41]). Maternal hybrid-immunity was associated with a reduced risk of infant hospitalization for Covid-19, as compared to natural-immunity, regardless of exposure timing or sequence. These findings emphasize the benefits of vaccinating previously infected individuals during pregnancy to reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations in early infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Guedalia
- Braun School of Public Health, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Lipschuetz
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Henrietta Szold Hadassah Hebrew University School of Nursing in the Faculty of Medicine Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- The Jerusalem Center for Personalized Computational Medicine Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Adva Cahen-Peretz
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sarah M Cohen
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yishai Sompolinsky
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Galit Shefer
- TIMNA-Israel Ministry of Health's Big Data Platform, Israel Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Melul
- TIMNA-Israel Ministry of Health's Big Data Platform, Israel Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zivanit Ergaz-Shaltiel
- Neonatology Department Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Debra Goldman-Wohl
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Simcha Yagel
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ronit Calderon-Margalit
- Braun School of Public Health, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer Beharier
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Division, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- The Jerusalem Center for Personalized Computational Medicine Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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5
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Valverde-Merino MI, Gomez-Guzman M, Piquer-Martinez C, Cabezas Lopez MD, Zarzuelo MJ. The importance of COVID-19 vaccination during lactation. Infect Dis Now 2024; 54:104831. [PMID: 37952583 DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2023.104831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization strongly supports breastfeeding as the main source of infant feeding to ensure maternal and child health. Since its emergence, COVID-19 has become a disease affecting the health of the world's population, and vaccines have been developed to prevent it. However, the decision to license COVID-19 vaccines for infants under 6 months of age has been delayed. Different studies have shown that during the breastfeeding period, the benefit-risk balance is much higher in favor of the benefit, at the immunological level for the infant, due to its low perception of adverse effects and the low transmission of products such as mRNA from the mother to the child. Different organizations and societies recommend vaccination in breastfeeding women. COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Valverde-Merino
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Gomez-Guzman
- Department of Pharmacology. Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Celia Piquer-Martinez
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Cabezas Lopez
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Zarzuelo
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Granada, Spain.
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Ismail S, Unger S, Budylowski P, Poutanen S, Yau Y, Jenkins C, Anwer S, Christie-Holmes N, Kiss A, Mazzulli T, Johnstone J, McGeer A, Whittle W, Parvez B, Gray-Owen SD, Stone D, O'Connor DL. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and their neutralizing capacity against live virus in human milk after COVID-19 infection and vaccination: prospective cohort studies. Am J Clin Nutr 2024; 119:485-495. [PMID: 38309831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited understanding of the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and vaccination type and interval on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) human milk antibodies and their neutralizing capacity. OBJECTIVES These cohort studies aimed to determine the presence of antibodies and live virus neutralizing capacity in milk from females infected with COVID-19, unexposed milk bank donors, and vaccinated females and examine impacts of vaccine interval and type. METHODS Milk was collected from participants infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy or lactation (Cohort-1) and milk bank donors (Cohort-2) from March 2020-July 2021 at 3 sequential 4-wk intervals and COVID-19 vaccinated participants with varying dose intervals (Cohort-3) (January-October 2021). Cohort-1 and Cohort-3 were recruited from Sinai Health (patients) and through social media. Cohort-2 included Ontario Milk Bank donors. Milk was examined for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and live virus neutralization. RESULTS Of females with COVID-19, 53% (Cohort-1, n = 55) had anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA antibodies in ≥1 milk sample. IgA+ samples (40%) were more likely neutralizing than IgA- samples (odds ratio [OR]: 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 4.60; P = 0.04); however, 25% of IgA- samples were neutralizing. Both IgA positivity and neutralization decreased ∼6 mo after symptom onset (0-100 compared with 201+ d: IgA OR: 14.30; 95% CI: 1.08, 189.89; P = 0.04; neutralizing OR: 4.30; 95% CI: 1.55, 11.89; P = 0.005). Among milk bank donors (Cohort-2, n = 373), 4.3% had IgA antibodies; 23% of IgA+ samples were neutralizing. Vaccination (Cohort-3, n = 60) with mRNA-1273 and shorter vaccine intervals (3 to <6 wk) resulted in higher IgA and IgG than BNT162b2 (P < 0.04) and longer intervals (6 to <16 wk) (P≤0.02), respectively. Neutralizing capacity increased postvaccination (P = 0.04) but was not associated with antibody positivity. CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination (type and interval) impacted milk antibodies; however, antibody presence did not consistently predict live virus neutralization. Although human milk is unequivocally the best way to nourish infants, guidance on protection to infants following maternal infection/vaccination may require more nuanced messaging. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04453969 and NCT04453982.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Ismail
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sharon Unger
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada; Paediatrics, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Patrick Budylowski
- Combined Containment Level 3 Unit, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Susan Poutanen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yvonne Yau
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Carleigh Jenkins
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Shaista Anwer
- Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Alex Kiss
- Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tony Mazzulli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jennie Johnstone
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Allison McGeer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Sinai Health System/University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wendy Whittle
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Scott D Gray-Owen
- Combined Containment Level 3 Unit, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Debbie Stone
- Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Deborah L O'Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada; Paediatrics, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada; The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.
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7
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de Graaf SC, Bondt A, van Rijswijck DMH, Juncker HG, Mulleners SJ, Damen MJA, Hoek M, van Keulen BJ, van Goudoever JB, Heck AJR, Dingess KA. A case series exploring the human milk polyclonal IgA1 response to repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations by LC-MS based fab profiling. Front Nutr 2024; 10:1305086. [PMID: 38288064 PMCID: PMC10822949 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1305086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Upon vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) humans will start to produce antibodies targeting virus specific antigens that will end up in circulation. In lactating women such antibodies will also end up in breastmilk, primarily in the form of secretory immunoglobulin A1 (SIgA1), the most abundant immunoglobulin (Ig) in human milk. Here we set out to investigate the SIgA1 clonal repertoire response to repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, using a LC-MS fragment antigen-binding (Fab) clonal profiling approach. Methods We analyzed the breastmilk of six donors from a larger cohort of 109 lactating mothers who received one of three commonly used SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We quantitatively monitored the SIgA1 Fab clonal profile over 16 timepoints, from just prior to the first vaccination until 15 days after the second vaccination. Results In all donors, we detected a population of 89-191 vaccine induced clones. These populations were unique to each donor and heterogeneous with respect to individual clonal concentrations, total clonal titer, and population size. The vaccine induced clones were dominated by persistent clones (68%) which came up after the first vaccination and were retained or reoccurred after the second vaccination. However, we also observe transient SIgA1 clones (16%) which dissipated before the second vaccination, and vaccine induced clones which uniquely emerged only after the second vaccination (16%). These distinct populations were observed in all analyzed donors, regardless of the administered vaccine. Discussion Our findings suggest that while individual donors have highly unique human milk SIgA1 clonal profiles and a highly personalized SIgA1 response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, there are also commonalities in vaccine induced responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan C. de Graaf
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Albert Bondt
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Danique M. H. van Rijswijck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hannah G. Juncker
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sien J. Mulleners
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mirjam J. A. Damen
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Max Hoek
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Britt J. van Keulen
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Johannes B. van Goudoever
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Albert J. R. Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kelly A. Dingess
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Suteerojntrakool O, Mekangkul E, Ananta P, Maitreechit D, Khabuan S, Sodsai P, Hirankarn N, Thumbovorn R, Chomtho S. The Persistence of Specific Immunoglobulin A Against SARS-CoV-2 in Human Milk After Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination. Breastfeed Med 2023; 18:943-950. [PMID: 38100444 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2023.0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate SARS-CoV-2 specific immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in breast milk of Thai mothers post COVID-19 vaccination and/or SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to compare the sIgA among lactating mothers with varying COVID-19 vaccination regimes. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in lactating mothers receiving ≥2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine or confirming SARS-CoV-2-positive test as a part of an infant feeding survey. Vaccination and infection details were collected through questionnaires and interviews. Self-collected breast milk samples (30 mL) at 1, 3, and 6 months postvaccination or infection were analyzed for sIgA through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Eighty-eight lactating mothers (152 milk samples), average age of 30.7 ± 6.2 years, were recruited. Fifty-five percent of milk samples were from lactating mothers with both SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination (hybrid immunity); 40% were from those with vaccination alone (COVID naïve). Sixty percent of lactating mothers received mixed types of vaccines. Median sIgA ratio in breast milk was 2.67 (0.82-7.85). Breast milk sIgA at 1, 3, and 6 months were higher in mothers with hybrid immunity than in COVID naïve (geometric mean [95% confidence interval]: 3.30 [2.06-5.29] versus 1.04 [0.52-2.04], 3.39 [2.24-5.13] versus 1.26 [0.77-2.06], 4.29 [3.04-6.06] versus 1.33 [0.74-2.42], respectively). No significant differences were observed among various vaccination regimes. Conclusion: sIgA against SARS-CoV-2 was detected in breast milk for up to 6 months after immunization together with infection at a greater level than after immunization or infection alone. This immunity could be transferred and protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Discontinuation of breastfeeding among mothers who received COVID vaccination or experienced infection should be discouraged. Clinical Trial Registration number: TCTR20220215012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orapa Suteerojntrakool
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Ambulatory Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Eakkarin Mekangkul
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pattaraporn Ananta
- Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Siriporn Khabuan
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pimpayao Sodsai
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattiya Hirankarn
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rungtip Thumbovorn
- Department of Microbiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirinuch Chomtho
- Pediatric Nutrition Research Unit, Division of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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9
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Zhao S, Lok KYW, Sin ZY, Peng Y, Fan HSL, Nagesh N, Choi MSL, Kwok JYY, Choi EPH, Zhang X, Wai HKF, Tsang LCH, Cheng SSM, Wong MKL, Zhu J, Mok CKP, Ng SC, Chan FKL, Peiris M, Poon LLM, Tun HM. COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-mediated antibodies in human breast milk and their association with breast milk microbiota composition. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:151. [PMID: 37798293 PMCID: PMC10556030 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00745-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Newborns can acquire immunological protection to SARS-CoV-2 through vaccine-conferred antibodies in human breast milk. However, there are some concerns around lactating mothers with regards to potential short- and long-term adverse events and vaccine-induced changes to their breast milk microbiome composition, which helps shape the early-life microbiome. Thus, we sought to explore if SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine could change breast milk microbiota and how the changes impact the levels of antibodies in breast milk. We recruited 49 lactating mothers from Hong Kong who received two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine between June 2021 and August 2021. Breast milk samples were self-collected by participants pre-vaccination, one week post-first dose, one week post-second dose, and one month post-second dose. The levels of SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgA and IgG in breast milk peaked at one week post-second dose. Subsequently, the levels of both antibodies rapidly waned in breast milk, with IgA levels returning to baseline levels one month post-second dose. The richness and composition of human breast milk microbiota changed dynamically throughout the vaccination regimen, but the abundances of beneficial microbes such as Bifidobacterium species did not significantly change after vaccination. Additionally, we found that baseline breast milk bacterial composition can predict spike-specific IgA levels at one week post-second dose (Area Under Curve: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.58-0.85). Taken together, our results identified specific breast milk microbiota markers associated with high levels of IgA in the breast milk following BNT162b2 vaccine. Furthermore, in lactating mothers, BNT162b2 vaccines did not significantly reduce probiotic species in breast milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Zhao
- Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kris Y W Lok
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhen Y Sin
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ye Peng
- Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Hong Kong SAR, China
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Heidi S L Fan
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nitya Nagesh
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Martha S L Choi
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jojo Y Y Kwok
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Edmond P H Choi
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hogan Kok-Fung Wai
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leo C H Tsang
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Samuel S M Cheng
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Jie Zhu
- Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chris K P Mok
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Siew C Ng
- Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Francis K L Chan
- Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Gut Microbiota Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Malik Peiris
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leo L M Poon
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hein M Tun
- Microbiota I-Center (MagIC), Hong Kong SAR, China.
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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10
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Hart JD, Ong DS, Chokephaibulkit K, Ong-Lim AT, Vereti I, Crawford NW, Russell F. Considerations for vaccinating children against COVID-19. BMJ Paediatr Open 2023; 7:e001964. [PMID: 37487674 PMCID: PMC10373744 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-001964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been introduced in children and adolescents in many countries. However, high levels of community transmission and infection-derived immunity make the decision to introduce COVID-19 vaccination of children in countries yet to do so particularly challenging. For example, other vaccine preventable diseases, including measles and polio, generally have far higher childhood morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) than COVID-19, and coverage with these vaccines has declined during the pandemic. Many countries are yet to introduce pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines for children, which prevent common causes of childhood death, or human papillomavirus vaccine for adolescents. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines that have been widely tested in children and adolescents have a positive risk-benefit profile. However, the benefit is less compared with other life-saving vaccines in this age group, particularly in LMICs and settings with widespread infection-derived immunity. The resources required for rollout may also pose a considerable challenge in LMICs. In this paper, we describe COVID-19 in children, with a focus on LMICs, and summarise the published literature on safety, efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents. We highlight the complexity of decision-making regarding COVID-19 vaccination of children now that most of this low-risk population benefit from infection-derived immunity. We emphasise that at-risk groups should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination; and that if COVID-19 vaccines are introduced for children, the opportunity should be taken to improve coverage of routine childhood vaccines and preventative healthcare. Additionally, we highlight the paucity of epidemiological data in LMICs, and that for future epidemics, measures need to be taken to ensure equitable access to safe and efficacious vaccines before exposure to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Hart
- Infection, Immunity and Global Health Theme, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Darren Suryawijaya Ong
- Infection, Immunity and Global Health Theme, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit
- Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anna T Ong-Lim
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Disease in Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ilisapeci Vereti
- Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
| | - Nigel W Crawford
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Russell
- Infection, Immunity and Global Health Theme, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Bäuerl C, Zulaica J, Rusu L, Moreno AR, Pérez-Cano FJ, Lerin C, Mena-Tudela D, Aguilar-Camprubí L, Parra-Llorca A, Martínez-Costa C, Geller R, Collado MC. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers in breastmilk from convalescent and vaccinated mothers. iScience 2023; 26:106802. [PMID: 37197591 PMCID: PMC10158041 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Breastmilk contains antibodies that could protect breastfed infants from infections. In this work, we examined if antibodies in breastmilk could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in 84 breastmilk samples from women that were either vaccinated (Comirnaty, mRNA-1273, or ChAdOx1), infected with SARS-CoV-2, or both infected and vaccinated. The neutralization capacity of these sera was tested using pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus carrying either the Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta, or BA.1 Omicron spike proteins. We found that natural infection resulted in higher neutralizing titers and that neutralization correlated positively with levels of immunoglobulin A in breastmilk. In addition, significant differences in the capacity to produce neutralizing antibodies were observed between both mRNA-based vaccines and the adenovirus-vectored ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, our results indicate that breastmilk from naturally infected women or those vaccinated with mRNA-based vaccines contains SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that could potentially provide protection to breastfed infants from infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Bäuerl
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joao Zulaica
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (ISysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luciana Rusu
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (ISysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez Moreno
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (ISysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Pérez-Cano
- Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science and Institute of Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Lerin
- Endocrinology department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Desirée Mena-Tudela
- Department of Nursing, Nursing Research Group, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
| | | | - Anna Parra-Llorca
- Health Research Institute La Fe, Neonatal Research Group, Spain and University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Division of Neonatology, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Cecilia Martínez-Costa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Spain. Nutrition Research Group of INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ron Geller
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (ISysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria Carmen Collado
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - MilkCORONA study team
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (ISysBio), University of Valencia-CSIC, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
- Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science and Institute of Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Nursing, Nursing Research Group, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain
- LactApp Women Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Health Research Institute La Fe, Neonatal Research Group, Spain and University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Division of Neonatology, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Spain. Nutrition Research Group of INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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12
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Shook LL, Edlow AG. Safety and Efficacy of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA Vaccines During Lactation. Obstet Gynecol 2023; 141:483-491. [PMID: 36649326 PMCID: PMC9975040 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the data on the safety and side-effect profile of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines during lactation to date, review what is known about mRNA vaccine components in breast milk, and discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in providing immune protection for the breastfeeding infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that lactating individuals receive COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and stay up to date on booster doses, including the bivalent COVID-19 booster. The lack of serious side effects in mothers or infants across numerous large studies and registries of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and lactation is reassuring. Although small quantities of mRNA may be transiently detectable in breast milk after maternal vaccination, there are no data demonstrating that vaccine mRNA can survive the infant gastrointestinal tract and no evidence that breast milk from lactating individuals who have received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine can cause harm to breastfeeding infants. In contrast, numerous studies demonstrate that the breast milk of vaccinated individuals contains severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific functional antibodies and T cells, which benefit the breastfeeding infant's developing immune system. Transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies from mother to infant is highest when vaccination occurs during pregnancy compared with lactation, because the breastfeeding infant receives both long-lasting antibodies through the placenta and breast-milk antibodies through breast milk. With clear data demonstrating efficacy and safety and no data demonstrating harm to mother or infant after COVID-19 vaccine administration during lactation, any recommendations to avoid vaccination while breastfeeding or to withhold breast milk from the infant for any period of time after vaccination are not supported by available evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L. Shook
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Andrea G. Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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13
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Anti-Spike Antibodies Present in the Milk of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinated Mothers Are Complement-Activating. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054395. [PMID: 36901824 PMCID: PMC10002545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although only 0.8-1% of SARS-CoV-2 infections are in the 0-9 age-group, pneumonia is still the leading cause of infant mortality globally. Antibodies specifically directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) are produced during severe COVID-19 manifestations. Following vaccination, specific antibodies are also detected in the milk of breastfeeding mothers. Since antibody binding to viral antigens can trigger activation of the complement classical - pathway, we investigated antibody-dependent complement activation by anti-S immunoglobulins (Igs) present in breast milk following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. This was in view of the fact that complement could play a fundamentally protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection in newborns. Thus, 22 vaccinated, lactating healthcare and school workers were enrolled, and a sample of serum and milk was collected from each woman. We first tested for the presence of anti-S IgG and IgA in serum and milk of breastfeeding women by ELISA. We then measured the concentration of the first subcomponents of the three complement pathways (i.e., C1q, MBL, and C3) and the ability of anti-S Igs detected in milk to activate the complement in vitro. The current study demonstrated that vaccinated mothers have anti-S IgG in serum as well as in breast milk, which is capable of activating complement and may confer a protective benefit to breastfed newborns.
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14
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Chen MJ, Cheema R, Hoyt-Austin A, Agnoli A, Kuhn-Riordon K, Kair LR. Vaccination and treatment options for SARS-CoV2 infection affecting lactation and breastfeeding. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 28:101425. [PMID: 36804921 PMCID: PMC9924042 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2023.101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed considerable challenges to the health of lactating individuals. Vaccination remains one of the most important strategies for prevention of moderate to severe COVID-19 infection and is associated with protective benefits for lactating individuals and their breastfed infants with overall mild side effects. The current recommendations for COVID-19 treatment in lactating individuals includes remdesivir and dexamethasone for hospitalized patients and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelavir + ritonavir) as outpatient treatment in those with mild disease. As the pandemic continues to evolve with new COVID-19 variants, alternative therapeutic options are potentially needed, and it is critical to include lactating individuals in research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 treatment options in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 2500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Ritu Cheema
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, School of Medicine, UC Davis Children's Hospital, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Adrienne Hoyt-Austin
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, 2516 Stockton Blvd, Ticon II, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Alicia Agnoli
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, 4860 Y Street, Suite 1600, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Kara Kuhn-Riordon
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, 2516 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Laura R Kair
- Department of Pediatrics, 2521 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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15
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Mulleners SJ, Juncker HG, Ruhé EJM, Korosi A, van Goudoever JB, van Gils MJ, van Keulen BJ. Comparing the SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response in human milk after homologous and heterologous booster vaccinations. Commun Biol 2023; 6:100. [PMID: 36697496 PMCID: PMC9875178 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04455-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Human milk contains SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination. These milk antibodies decrease several months post-vaccination. Whether booster immunization restores human milk antibody levels, potentially offering prolonged passive immunity for the infant, remains unknown. In this prospective follow-up study, we investigated the longitudinal SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response in human milk of 26 lactating women who received a COVID-19 booster dose of an mRNA-based vaccine. Moreover, we evaluated whether the booster-induced human milk antibody response differs for participants who received a similar or different vaccine type in their primary vaccination series. All participants (100%) who received a homologous booster vaccination showed SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in their milk. Heterologous booster vaccination resulted in milk conversion for 9 (69%) and 13 (100%) participants for IgA and IgG respectively. Findings of this study indicate that both homologous and heterologous boosting schedules have the potential to enhance SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG in human milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sien J. Mulleners
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hannah G. Juncker
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eliza J. M. Ruhé
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aniko Korosi
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes B. van Goudoever
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marit J. van Gils
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (location AMC), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Britt J. van Keulen
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Longueira Y, Ojeda DS, Battistelli RBA, Sanchez L, Oviedo Rouco S, Albano D, Guevara E, Valls V, Pando MA, Gamarnik AV. SARS-CoV-2-Specific IgG and IgA response in maternal blood and breastmilk of vaccinated naïve and convalescent lactating participants. Front Immunol 2022; 13:909995. [PMID: 36263055 PMCID: PMC9574440 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.909995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in the milk of breastfeeding mothers vaccinated with mRNA and convalescent. However, limited information is available in lactating women receiving other vaccine platforms used in developing countries, such as the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) and the non-replicating adenovirus vaccines Sputnik V (Gamaleya Institute) and ChAdOx1-S (Oxford AstraZeneca). Methods Here, we evaluated anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA levels in both serum and milk samples using a longitudinal and a cross-sectional cohort of 208 breastfeeding vaccinated women from Argentina with or without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results The analysis showed that IgA levels remain constant in serum and milk of breastfeeding mothers between the first and second doses of vector-based vaccines (Sputnik V and ChAdOx1-S). After the second dose, anti-spike IgA was found positive in 100% of the serum samples and in 66% of breastmilk samples. In addition, no significant differences in milk IgA levels were observed in participants receiving BBIBP-CorV, Sputnik V or ChAdOx1-S. IgG levels in milk increased after the second dose of vector-based vaccines. Paired longitudinal samples taken at 45 and 120 days after the second dose showed a decrease in milk IgG levels over time. Study of IgA levels in serum and milk of vaccinated naïve of infection and vaccinated-convalescent breastfeeding participants showed significantly higher levels in vaccinated-convalescent than in participants without previous infection. Conclusion This study is relevant to understand the protection against SARS-CoV-2 by passive immunity in newborns and children who are not yet eligible to receive vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesica Longueira
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego S. Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Instituto Leloir-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Buenos Aires, Argentina,*Correspondence: Andrea V. Gamarnik, ; Diego S. Ojeda,
| | - Rocio B. Antivero Battistelli
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lautaro Sanchez
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Instituto Leloir-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Oviedo Rouco
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Instituto Leloir-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Albano
- Banco de Leche Humana – Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eleonora Guevara
- Banco de Leche Humana – Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Valls
- Banco de Leche Humana – Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A. Pando
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea V. Gamarnik
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Fundación Instituto Leloir-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina,*Correspondence: Andrea V. Gamarnik, ; Diego S. Ojeda,
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17
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Pieri M, Maniori MA, Shahabian L, Kanaan E, Paphiti-Demetriou I, Pipis S, Felekkis K, Nicolaidou V, Papaneophytou C. Survival of Vaccine-Induced Human Milk SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgA and SIgA Immunoglobulins across Simulated Human Infant Gastrointestinal Digestion. Nutrients 2022; 14:3368. [PMID: 36014873 PMCID: PMC9415426 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breastfeeding can be a vital way of acquiring passive immunity via the transfer of antibodies from the mother to the breastfeeding infant. Recent evidence points to the fact that human milk contains immunoglobulins (Ig) against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, either after natural infection or vaccination, but whether these antibodies can resist enzymatic degradation during digestion in the infant gastrointestinal (GI) tract or indeed protect the consumers remains inconclusive. Herein, we evaluated the levels of IgG, IgA, and secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in 43 lactating mothers who received at least two doses of either an mRNA-based vaccine (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna; n = 34) or an adenovirus-based vaccine (AstraZeneca; n = 9). We also accessed the potential persistence of SARS-CoV-2 IgA, IgG, and secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies from vaccinated women in the GI tract of the infants by means of a static in vitro digestion protocol. Our data depict that, although slightly reduced, the IgA antibodies produced after vaccination resist both the gastric and intestinal phases of infant digestion, whereas the IgGs are more prone to degradation in both phases of digestion. Additionally, SIgA antibodies were found to greatly resist the gastric phase of digestion albeit showing some reduction during the intestinal phase. The evaluation of the vaccine induced Ig profile of breastmilk, and the extent to which these antibodies can resist digestion in the infant GI tract provide important information about the potential protective role of this form of passive immunity that could help decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrtani Pieri
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
| | - Maria-Arsenia Maniori
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
| | - Lucy Shahabian
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
| | - Elie Kanaan
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
| | | | - Spyros Pipis
- Medical School, University of Nicosia, Nicosia CY-2408, Cyprus
- Aretaeio Hospital, 55-57, Andrea Avraamidi St, Strovolos, Nicosia CY-2024, Cyprus
| | - Kyriakos Felekkis
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
| | - Vicky Nicolaidou
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
| | - Christos Papaneophytou
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
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