|
16th International AIDS ConferenceToronto, Canada - August 13 - 18, 2006 |
VIRAL SAFETY OF FLASH-HEATED BREASTMILK AS AN INFANT FEEDING OPTION FOR HIV POSITIVE MOTHERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Int Conf AIDS. 2006 Aug 13-18;16 Abstract No. ThAc0103
Israel-Ballard K.1, Donovan R.2, Chantry C.3, Coutsoudis A.4, Sheppard H.2, Sibeko L.5, Abrams B.1
1 School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Department of Epidemiology, Berkeley, California, United States, 2 California Department of Health Services, Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, Richmond, California, United States, 3 University of California Davis Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Sacramento, California, United States, 4 University of KwaZulu-Natal, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Durban, South Africa, 5 McGill University, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Montreal, Canada
BACKGROUND: Expressed breastmilk (EBM) is a WHO-endorsed method to reduce postnatal transmission of HIV in developing countries, yet its safety has not been fully investigated. We compared levels of HIV in naturally infected breastmilk samples before and after Flash-heating (FH).
METHODS: Fresh EBM was collected from 100 HIV positive mothers in an informal settlement in Durban, South Africa. Mothers manually expressed 75 – 150mL EBM into sterile jars. Each sample was kept on ice then aliquoted by lab personnel to unheated (UH) control or FH (50mL EBM heated in 450mL water jacket until water boiled, then EBM removed), simulating field conditions with an aluminum pan as a water jacket, glass peanut butter jar containing the heated milk, and open flame. Samples were stored at -70°C until analysis. Reverse transcriptase (RT) enzymatic activity assay (ExaVir Quantitative HIV-Reverse Transcriptase Load Kit) was used to assay for HIV, as our previous data showed Real Time PCR ineffective for discriminating between live and inactivated HIV.
RESULTS: 31/100 samples had detectable HIV by RT prior to heat. These 31 unheated samples had a mean (sd) value of 8,078 (15,154) copies/mL; a median value of 1,895 copies/mL; and a range from 617 to 65,101 copies/mL. After FH, active HIV was undetectable by the RT assay in all 31 samples (Figure 1).
CONCLUSIONS: Breastmilk viral loads were relatively low in this population of women without advanced disease. FH is capable of inactivating HIV in naturally infected breast milk from HIV positive mothers. FH may be a practical infant feeding method for mothers in developing countries who need safe alternatives.
Download PDF of this abstract.
2006-08-13
ThAc0103
Copyright © 2006 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 16th International AIDS Conference, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.
AEGiS is a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, the National Library of Medicine, Roche / Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.