Vibrio antibodies in serum and breast milk samples of parturient women in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract number: p1705

Utsalo  S.

Objectives: 

Serum and breast milk samples from 335 parturient women and serum from non–parturient controls were analysed for prevalence and titres of vibrio antibodies.

Methods: 

V. cholerae agglutinins and vibriocidal antibodies in serum samples were analysed by direct agglutination and immune bacteriolysis techniques respectively, using 96 well microtitre plates. The protective value of breast milk was evaluated by haemagglutination inhibition and rabbit intestinal mucosal attachment of V. cholerae cells.

Results: 

Vibrio agglutinins were detected in serum samples of 191(57.0%) parturient and 78 (33.9%) non-parturient subjects (p < 0.05). High prevalence rates of 68.9% and 39.1% occurred among parturient and control subjects of 21–25 years of age respectively. At 1:160 cut off titre to evaluate Vibrio cholerae specific bacteriocidal antibodies, activity was detected in samples of 31 (57.1%) and 9 (56.3%) parturients and controls respectively aged 26–30 years. Breast milk from 67 (20.0%) parturients contained vibrio agglutinins with titres ranging between 1:20 and 1:320, while milk samples from 32 subjects showed haemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity titres of  1:40. Of the 19 HI positive milk samples 17 (89.5%) showed inhibition of V. cholerae adherence to rabbit intestinal mucosa at titres  1:80, and 53–92% reductions in cell attachment.

Conclusion: 

Our study confirms that parturient women in Calabar may benefit from significant serum titres of V. cholerae antibodies and provide immune protection for their babies through breast milk secretions.