Human milk galectin-3 binding protein and breast-feeding-associated HIV transmission

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 Dec;32(12):e473-5. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3182a6e0a8.

Abstract

Analysis of milk from 247 HIV-infected Zambian mothers showed that galectin-3 binding protein concentrations were significantly higher among HIV-infected mothers who transmitted HIV through breast-feeding (6.51 ± 2.12 μg/mL) than among nontransmitters but were also correlated with higher milk and plasma HIV RNA copies/mL and lower CD4+ cell counts. The association between galectin-3 binding protein and postnatal transmission was attenuated after adjustment for milk and plasma HIV load and CD4+ cell counts. This suggests that although milk galectin-3 binding protein is a marker of advanced maternal disease, it does not independently modify transmission risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Breast Feeding*
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / analysis*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / metabolism
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Milk, Human / virology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Viral Load
  • Zambia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • LGALS3BP protein, human