Testing for SARS-CoV-2 immunity via breastmilk

A study of the breastmilk from 21 women infected with SARS-CoV-2 revealed the presence of diverse and unique virus-specific antibodies – antibodies that may offer passive immunity for breastfeeding infants.

Practically speaking? This means breastfeeding could help protect infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2, but the level of protection may vary.

"Further study of mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and close monitoring of their infants for symptomatic and asymptomatic infection is needed to examine the association of specific breastmilk IgA on infant COVID-19 outcomes," write the authors.

Find details here, published in Nature’s Pediatric Research (‘Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human milk from 21 women with confirmed COVID-19 infection’).

This real-time study was led by researchers from the University of California San Diego, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of California Irvine and Antigen Discovery Inc.

FLRF is proud to have helped support their work with emergency project funding. Discover more here.

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