The unknown component of breast milk destroys HIV and the cells infected with it, and blocks transmission of the virus in mice with a human immune system, reports PLOS Pathogens.
Even if babies born to HIV-infected mothers avoid infection during childbirth, about 15% of them still do. of them become infected in early childhood. As the virus can pass into breast milk, breastfeeding has been considered one of the routes of infection.
In investigating this issue, Angela Wahl of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) and her colleagues created mice with human bone marrow, liver and thymus. These mice were infected with HIV. They all became infected when the virus was administered via the ingestion. However, when the rodents were fed human milk containing HIV, they were not infected.
Earlier studies pointed to the antiviral properties of milk, but it was unclear whether it would prevent HIV infection.
The search for the mysterious ingredient of milk that stops the virus continues. If identified, it may even be applicable to other types of infections – for example, through sexual contact.
Some breastfed babies do become infected anyway. Perhaps it is caused by blood from bursting nipples. (PAP)
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