LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 29 Oct 2003 17:17:51 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (49 lines)
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/463272?mpid=20190

HIV RNA Levels Highest in Whole Milk Portion of Breast Milk

By Anthony J. Brown, MD

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Oct 21 - In HIV-infected women, the whole milk
component of breast milk contains the highest levels of viral RNA, according
to a new report. This suggests that researchers studying mother-to-child HIV
transmission via breast milk should test this component first.

The findings, which are reported in the October 15th issue of The Journal of
Infectious Diseases, are based on an analysis of HIV RNA levels in the
breast milk of 33 HIV-infected, breastfeeding women in Malawi. Specifically,
RNA levels were compared in all four components of the milk-whole milk, skim
milk, lipid layer, and breast-milk cells.

"HIV RNA levels were highest and most likely to be detected in the whole
milk component," lead author Dr. Irving F. Hoffman, from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Reuters Health. "The next highest levels
were found in the lipid layer."

Several factors were associated with the HIV RNA levels in milk, the
investigators note. Serum viral load was directly related to the milk level,
whereas serum CD4+ cell count was inversely linked to the level.

"In agreement with previous reports, we found that HIV levels were highest
in women with breast inflammation," Dr. Hoffman noted. "Typically, these
were women who had little experience breastfeeding."

"We plan on using the information from the current study in an intervention
trial that is just getting underway," Dr. Hoffman noted. "In this trial, we
will be measuring HIV levels in breast milk and comparing mother-to-child
transmission" with various antiretroviral interventions, he added.

J Infect Dis 2003;188:1209-1212.

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

ATOM RSS1 RSS2