• Veronique Demers-Mathieu, Dung M Do, Gabrielle B Mathijssen, SelaDavid ADAhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3354-7470Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA., Antti Seppo, Kirsi M Järvinen, and Elena Medo.
• Department of Neonatal Immunology and Microbiology, Medolac Laboratories A Public Benefit Corporation, Boulder City, NV, USA. vdemers-m@medolac.com.
• J Perinatol. 2021 Apr 1; 41 (4): 850-859.

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the presence and the levels of antibodies reactive to SARS-CoV-2 S1 and S2 subunits (S1 + S2), and nucleocapsid protein.Study DesignThe levels of SARS-CoV-2 S1 + S2- and nucleocapsid-reactive SIgM/IgM, IgG and SIgA/IgA were measured in human milk samples from 41 women during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-HM) and from 16 women 2 years prior to the outbreak (2018-HM).ResultsSARS-CoV-2 S1 + S2-reactive SIgA/IgA, SIgM/IgM and IgG were detected in 97.6%, 68.3% and 58.5% in human milk whereas nucleocapsid-reactive antibodies were detected in 56.4%, 87.2% and 46.2%, respectively. S1 + S2-reactive IgG was higher in milk from women that had symptoms of viral respiratory infection(s) during the last year than in milk from women without symptom. S1 + S2- and nucleocapsid-reactive IgG were higher in the 2020-HM group compared to the 2018-HM group.ConclusionsThe presence of SARS-CoV-2-reactive antibodies in human milk could provide passive immunity to breastfed infants and protect them against COVID-19 diseases.

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