Salivary antibody response to streptococci in preterm and fullterm children: A prospective study

Comparisons of IgA response in saliva and colostrum against oral streptococci species

“…With time, the baby is exposed to S. mutans, and IgA reactive to GbpB antibodies become detectable at 3 months, as described by Borges et al 14 At 6 months of age, this reactivity has an important modulatory action on infection, as reported by Nogueira et al 12 In summary, the complexity of IgA in colostrum and saliva of mothers is similar and suggest a common pathway, although the concentration of Igs in colostrum is significantly higher. In newborn's saliva, the levels of IgA are low especially against GbpB, which strengthens the importance of breastfeeding in controlling early infections by S. mutans.…”

“…The analysis of S. mutans-specific IgA antigens showed that the majority of samples with positive response to S. mutans presented IgA response against Ag I/II and Gtf, which was found in colostrum samples 20 and saliva from children at birth, 14 at three months 14 and 5-11 months of age, 12 regardless of S. mutans colonization. On the other hand, many samples had a negative IgA response to GbpB, especially in the salivary samples.…”

“…20 Therefore, colostrum provides to the neonate significant levels of specific IgA against S. mutans virulence, which can disrupt the installation and accumulation process of these microorganisms in the oral cavity 20 and supply the immature mucosal immune system in early life, especially against GbpB, as anti-GpbB IgA is absent at birth. 13,14 There is little information about the immune response during the early stages of S. mutans bacterial challenge and the role of IgA provided by breastfeeding against the installation of these bacteria. It is possible that some factors can affect the initial response of pioneer commensal species of the oral cavity, and influence the patterns of immune response and the susceptibility to colonization.…”

“…13 After 3 months, IgA reactivity to Gtf and Ag I/II was unchanged, but 7% of the children presented salivary IgA response to GbpB. 14 Breastfeeding represents an important source of immune components for the mucosal membranes of neonates, especially by the mother-to-child transfer of SIgA, the main mediator of anti-bacterial activity in human colostrums. 15,16 Several studies showed the passive protection conferred by breast milk against bacterial infections through binding mechanisms and also by covering the mucosal surfaces, preventing the adhesion and invasion of a large variety of pathogenic microorganisms.…”

The Role of Glycosaminoglycans in Protection from Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Narrative Review

“…A number of differences in adaptive immune function exist in infants with NEC, many of which are likely a developmental artifact of prematurity. Levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), an antibody produced by lamina propia B cells and recognized for its ability to maintain the microbiome by neutralizing pathogenic bacteria [71], are reduced in premature infants compared to term babies [72,73], with clear implications for the development of NEC. Additionally, a significant role for T cells in the pathogenesis of NEC is becoming increasingly evident.…”