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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(S 01): e3085-e3090
DOI: 10.1055/a-2192-0655
Original Article

Investigation of Anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG Levels in Breast Milk after Vaccination or COVID-19 Infection

Fatih Temocin 
1   Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Ondokuz Mayıs University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
,
Yeliz Tanrıverdi Çaycı 
2   Department of Medical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
,
Canan Seren 
3   Department of Neonatology, Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
,
Tuba Kuruoglu 
1   Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Ondokuz Mayıs University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
,
Aynur Atilla 
1   Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Ondokuz Mayıs University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
,
Asuman Birinci 
2   Department of Medical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
,
Esra Tanyel 
1   Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Ondokuz Mayıs University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Türkiye
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Abstract

Objective Newborns are vulnerable to all types of infections due to their developing immune system. To compensate for their immune immaturity, newborns rely on the passive transfer of antibodies through the placenta and own mother's breast milk (BM). In the present study, we investigated whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 leads to the presence of antibodies in BM. Furthermore, we compared the levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific anti-spike (anti-S) IgG antibodies in the BM of mothers who were vaccinated against Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection naturally or were vaccinated after natural infection.

Study Design This was a prospective cohort study conducted in the Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine. Forty-six mothers who had at least two doses of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA-based vaccine and/or had a history of symptomatic COVID-19 infection were included in the study. BM samples were analyzed by the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant kit following the manufacturer's instructions.

Results Forty-six mothers with an average age of 29.7 ± 5.7 years participated the study: 18 (39.1%) had COVID-19 infection + BTN162b2 vaccine, 17 (37.0%) had BTN162b2 vaccine, and 11 (23.9%) had natural infection. The highest SARS-CoV-2-specific anti-S IgG antibody titers in BM were found in mothers who were vaccinated following the infection (anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG: 32.48 ± 57.1 arbitrary units AU/mL). However, no significant difference in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels was observed between the three groups (p = 0.641). No antibody was detected in 15.2% of BM samples.

Conclusion Both vaccination and natural COVID-19 infection during pregnancy leads to the passive transfer of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies to BM. These results are important to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination levels in expectant mothers.

Key Points

  • We investigated the levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in BM after natural infection and vaccination.

  • Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected in 39 (84.8%) BM samples.

  • The highest titers in BM were found in mothers who were vaccinated following natural infection.

Keywords

breast milk - COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 - anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG - breastfeeding

Authors' Contributions

All of the authors have seen and approved the manuscript. Currently, it has not been sent to any other journal for publication.


Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the Ondokuz Mayıs University, Medical Faculty Clinical Research Ethics Committee (reference number: 2021/518).




Publication History

Received: 21 November 2022

Accepted: 12 October 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
16 October 2023

Article published online:
14 November 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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