Cellular and humoral factors in colostrum of HIV infected and uninfected lactating mothers.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cellular and humoral factors in colostrum from HIV infected and uninfected lactating mothers. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Maternity Ward. METHODS: Colostrum was collected from 130 mothers (62 HIV seropositives and 68 HIV seronegatives). These colostrum samples were tested for total cell count, cell viability, differential count, phagocytic activity of macrophages, 'T' cell counts, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the phagocytosis and 'T' cell number (p <0.001) and in the IgA and IgG levels (p<0. 05) in the colostrum obtained from HIV seropositive mothers as compared to HIV seronegative ones. CONCLUSION: Some of the cellular and humoral factors are reduced in colostrum samples obtained from HIV seropositives as compared to normals.