Breastfeeding During Early Infancy is Associated with a Lower Incidence of Febrile Illnesses

Human breast milk is known to contain immunoprotective, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agents. In a prospective clinical study of dengue virus infections during infancy, we examined the correlation between breastfeeding and the development of febrile illnesses in an infant population. We found that breastfeeding status and the frequency of breastfeeding during early infancy was associated with a lower incidence of febrile illnesses

Breastfeeding During Early Infancy is Associated with Higher Weight-Based World Health Organization Anthropometry

The World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Physical Status: The Use and Interpretation of Anthropometry established reference anthropometric standards for the growth of healthy infants and children. As part of a prospective clinical study of dengue virus infections in infants, we measured the length and weight of healthy infants in San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines at two scheduled study visits. We examined the correlation between breastfeeding and WHO anthropometric z scores during early infancy in San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines. We found that breastfeeding status and the frequency of breastfeeding during early infancy positively correlated with weight-based WHO anthropometric z scores

Toll-like receptor induced pro-interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 in monocytes are lower in healthy infants compared to adults

Infants have long been known to have higher infectious diseases morbidity and mortality and suboptimal vaccination responses compared to older children and adults. A variety of differences in innate and adaptive immune responses have been described between these two groups. We compared Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced production of pro-interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha between 2-month-old infants and adults. TLR 7/8-induced production of pro-IL-1beta and IL-6 in monocytes was lower in 2-month-old infants compared to adults. There was no difference in TLR 7/8-induced production of TNF-alpha. Lower TLR-induced production of pro-IL-1beta and IL-6 in innate immune cells during early infancy likely contributes to suboptimal vaccine responses and infectious diseases susceptibility

Circulating levels of soluble MICB in infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus infections.

Dengue is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral illness in humans. A MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence B (MICB) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was previously associated with symptomatic dengue compared to non-dengue causes of acute febrile illnesses in infants. We measured circulating levels of soluble (s)MICB in the sera of infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus infections. We found that serum levels of sMICB increased between pre-infection and acute illness among infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus infections. The likelihood of being hospitalized with an acute primary DENV infection during infancy also tended to be higher with increasing acute illness sMICB levels. The elevation of sMICB during acute primary DENV infections in infants likely represents an immune evasion strategy and contributes to the severity of the acute illness

Serum levels of soluble (s)MICB during acute illness by day of fever among infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus infections (<i>n</i> = 46).

<p>Serum levels of soluble (s)MICB during acute illness by day of fever among infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus infections (<i>n</i> = 46).</p

Characteristics of infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus (DENV) infections.

<p>Characteristics of infants with symptomatic primary dengue virus (DENV) infections.</p

Low adiposity during early infancy is associated with a low risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever: a preliminary model

Dengue virus (DENV) infections range from asymptomatic or mild illness to a severe and potentially life threatening disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF occurs in primary DENV infections during early infancy. A prospective clinical study of DENV infections during infancy was conducted in San Pablo, Philippines. We found that infants who developed DHF with a primary DENV infection had higher WHO weight-for-age z scores before and at the time of infection compared to infants with primary DENV infections who did not develop DHF. In addition, TLR 7/8-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production from myeloid-derived cells was higher among well-nourished infants. Leptin augmented TLR 7/8-mediated TNF-alpha production in monocytes and decreased intracellular cAMP levels. Circulating leptin levels were elevated during early infancy and correlated with WHO weight-for-age z scores. Our data support a plausible hypothesis as to why well-nourished infants are at risk for developing DHF with their first DENV infection

Example of the gating strategy for monocytes- LiveDead Aqua (LDA)-/CD1c-/CD19-/CD36+/CD123-/CD303-.

<p>Example of the gating strategy for monocytes- LiveDead Aqua (LDA)-/CD1c-/CD19-/CD36+/CD123-/CD303-.</p