Increased Concentrations of Milk Antibodies in Recurrent Pulmonary Aspiration in Infants and Young Children

Abstract

Concentrations of circulating antibodies against bovine serum albumin were significantly increased in six children with recurrent pulmonary aspiration (mean: 5.54 μg BSA‐N/ml, range: 2.05‐12.87 μg BSA‐N/ml; mean value of 76 control infants: 0.38 μg BSA‐N/ml, 95 % confidence interval: 0‐0.98 fig BSA‐N/ml, p<0.001) as determined by radioimmuno‐assay. IgG‐ and IgA‐isotypes against bovine serum albumin, lactalbumin, lactoglobulin, casein and gammaglobulin were determined in four patients by enzyme‐linked‐immuno‐sorbent‐assay. Significant differences between patients and controls were found for IgG‐antibodies against casein and bovine serum albumin and IgA‐antibodies against alpha‐lactalbumin and bovine serum albumin. Under certain conditions, stimulation of bronchus‐associated lymphoid tissue may lead to a higher immune response than oral immunization. Determination of milk antibodies may be helpful in the diagnosis of recurrent pulmonary aspiration.