Modulation of rotavirus enteritis during breast-feeding. Implications on alterations in the intestinal bacterial flora
L. C. Duffy, M. Riepenhoff-Talty, T. E. Byers, L. J. La Scolea, M. A. Zielezny, D. M. Dryja and P. L. Ogra
A cohort of 197 infants was followed up prospectively for a single
rotavirus (RV) season, 1983 to 1984, to examine the effect of long-term
feeding method on RV infection. The feeding classification distinguished
breast vs formula milk intake over the long term, for at least 18 weeks
from birth (approximately four months). During the follow-up period,
relative numbers of RV particles in feces were compared by electron
microscopy, and positive specimens were confirmed by an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. There was no apparent difference in the infection
rates of rotavirus enteritis in breast-fed (20%) as compared with
bottle-fed (17%) infants. However, clinical manifestation of illness was
milder in breast-fed infants. Among the breast-fed subjects, fecal flora
identified by bacterial cultures, biochemical reaction, and gas-liquid
chromatography revealed a significant growth of bifidobacteria lasting as
long as the period of lactation. Colonization by this organism above the
detection level of log 10(5)/mL was not observed in the feces of bottle-fed
infants. These data suggest that alterations in enteric flora induced by
breast-feeding may be correlates of intraluminal events, mediated by human
milk, that modulate the clinical course of RV gastroenteritis.
