Traditional Farming Lifestyle in Old Older Mennonites Modulates Human Milk Composition.

Background: In addition to farming exposures in childhood, maternal farming exposures provide strong protection against allergic disease in their children; however, the effect of farming lifestyle on human milk (HM) composition is unknown. Objective: This study aims to characterize the maternal immune effects of Old Order Mennonite (OOM) traditional farming lifestyle when compared with Rochester (ROC) families at higher risk for asthma and allergic diseases using HM as a proxy. Methods: HM samples collected at median 2 months of lactation from 52 OOM and 29 ROC mothers were assayed for IgA1 and IgA2 antibodies, cytokines, endotoxin, HM oligosaccharides (HMOs), and targeted fatty acid (FA) metabolites. Development of early childhood atopic diseases in children by 3 years of age was assessed. In addition to group comparisons, systems level network analysis was performed to identify communities of multiple HM factors in ROC and OOM lifestyle. Results: HM contains IgA1 and IgA2 antibodies broadly recognizing food, inhalant, and bacterial antigens. OOM HM has significantly higher levels of IgA to peanut, ovalbumin, dust mites, and Streptococcus equii as well TGF-ß2, and IFN-λ3. A strong correlation occurred between maternal antibiotic use and levels of several HMOs. Path-based analysis of HMOs shows lower activity in the path involving lactoneohexaose (LNH) in the OOM as well as higher levels of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and two long-chain FAs C-18OH (stearic acid) and C-23OH (tricosanoic acid) compared with Rochester HM. OOM and Rochester milk formed five different clusters, e.g., butyrate production was associated with Prevotellaceae, Veillonellaceae, and Micrococcaceae cluster. Development of atopic disease in early childhood was more common in Rochester and associated with lower levels of total IgA, IgA2 to dust mite, as well as of TSLP. Conclusion: Traditional, agrarian lifestyle, and antibiotic use are strong regulators of maternally derived immune and metabolic factors, which may have downstream implications for postnatal developmental programming of infant's gut microbiome and immune system.

Presentation and Management of Food Allergy in Breastfed Infants and Risks of Maternal Elimination Diets.

Breastfeeding is currently recommended as the optimal source of nutrition to infants. However, there are several studies that have shown clinical IgE- and non-IgE-mediated reactions to foods in exclusively breastfeeding infants, specifically to cow's milk, egg, peanut, and fish. Literature suggests that antigenic food proteins present in human milk can be found in substantial enough amounts to elicit clinical reactions in some, already-sensitized infants, including anaphylaxis, eczema exacerbation, and non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food-allergic syndromes. Diagnosis of food allergy in a breastfed infant and identification of the trigger foods in the mother's diet can be especially challenging in infants with delayed symptoms, such as eczema and gastrointestinal symptoms. Management is further complicated in infants with atopic dermatitis, who have increased caloric needs and therefore in whom nutrition is an extremely important factor for growth and development. One needs to balance possible benefits with risks of further food sensitization through the skin when foods are eliminated from their diets. We review here the literature on clinical presentation and evidence for food allergy in exclusively breastfed infants, including the presence of food antigens in human milk. Incorporating clinical experience and the available data, which largely come from case reports and small, nonrandomized studies performed in referral centers with several limitations, we propose a novel algorithm to diagnosis and management, with emphasis on nutritional considerations.

Papulopustular Dermatitis in X-Linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

Here we describe two term male infants diagnosed with X-linked CGD who present, in addition to frequent infection, with a unique papulopustular skin rash. CGD is caused by a number of genetic defects that impair phagocyte function. This disease results in recurrent infections and granuloma formation. Rarely do patients develop cutaneous symptoms, unless associated with autoimmune disorders such as systemic erythematous lupus (1). Each male infant mentioned here was diagnosed with CGD based on abnormal DHR testing and confirmatory genetic testing. The presenting papulopustular dermatitis was initially characterized as non-classic appearing eczema and subsequently found to be refractory to usual eczema treatment and antibiotics. After obtaining written informed consent from both families, we have documented photographs of the development of a characteristic rash in two newly diagnosed infants with CGD. One infant underwent cutaneous biopsy with histologic evaluation and negative cultures. The dermatitis for both infants was refractory to topical and systemic therapies, and resolved after bone marrow transplantation. Our objective was to characterize cutaneous findings in X-linked CGD and emphasize the importance of considering further immune workup in patients who present with unusual cutaneous findings that do not fit with common infant rashes in conjunction with concerning features for primary immunodeficiency.