THE CONTENT OF SECRETORY IMMUNOGLOBULIN A IN BREAST MILK OF PATIENTS WITH LACTATIONAL MASTITIS

Abstract

Introduction. The protective function of breast milk is provided by a number of specific and non-specific anti-infective factors: secretory immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulins A, G, M, E, cellular elements (neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages), cytokines, lactoferrin, lysozyme, oligosaccharides, bifido- and lactobacteria, antioxidants and. The main class of human milk immunoglobulins is secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), which protects the surfaces of mucous membranes from the penetration of microorganisms, neutralizes toxins and localizes viruses, and stimulates phagocytosis. Currently, information on the local level of secretory immunoglobulin A in the development of the inflammatory process in the mammary gland is not numerous and requires research. The aim of the study. To assess the content of secretory IgA in breast milk of patients with lactational mastitis. Research metods. The study dealt with breast milk of 97 women aged 18 to 36 (average age: 26±5 years old). The standard indicators of the secretory immunoglobulin A contents in 30 practically healthy lactating women of the same age – the control group – were the issue of the analyses. The first group included 30 women with lactostasis, the second group consisted of 37 women with lactational mastitis. The content of secretory immunoglobulin A was determined by enzyme immunoassay using an automatic STAT FAX 303 plus analyzer. Results and discussion. The concentration of sIgA in breast milk with lactostasis is on average 0.72±0.04 mg/ml, which is 3 times higher than the control indicator (0.24±0.02 mg/ml; p<0.05). During the development of lactational mastitis, the level of sIgA is 0.75±0.05 mg/ml, which exceeds the control values by 3.1 times (р<0.05). The content of sIgA in the breast milk of women with lactostasis does not differ from the level of this immunoglobulin in patients with lactational mastitis. A high concentration of sIgA indicates the activation of immune protection on mucous membranes. Conclusions. Increased production of secretory immunoglobulin A in breast milk was found in experimental groups compared to practically healthy women, which indicates activation of local humoral immunity as a reaction to infection.