Association Between Maternal Breastmilk Microbiota Composition and Rotavirus Vaccine Response in African, Asian, and European Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

Maternal breastmilk is a source of pre- and pro-biotics that impact neonatal gut microbiota colonization. Because oral rotavirus vaccines (ORVs) are administered at a time when infants are often breastfed, breastmilk microbiota composition may have a direct or indirect influence on vaccine take and immunogenicity.

METHODS

Using standardized methods across sites, we compared breastmilk microbiota composition in relation to geographic location and ORV response in cohorts prospectively followed from birth to 18 weeks of age in India (n = 307), Malawi (n = 119), and the United Kingdom ([UK] n = 60).

RESULTS

Breastmilk microbiota diversity was higher in India and Malawi than the UK across 3 longitudinal samples spanning weeks of life 1 to 13. Dominant taxa such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus were consistent across cohorts; however, significant geographic differences were observed in the prevalence and abundance of common and rare genera throughout follow up. No consistent associations were identified between breastmilk microbiota composition and ORV outcomes including seroconversion, vaccine shedding after dose 1, and postvaccination rotavirus-specific immunoglobulin A level.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that breastmilk microbiota composition may not be a key factor in shaping trends in ORV response within or between countries.

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Potential conflicts of interest. NAC is a NIHR Senior Investigator (NIHR203756). NAC and KCJ are affiliated with the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections at the University of Liverpool, a partnership with the UKHSA, in collaboration with the University of Warwick. MI-G has received research grants from GSK and Merck and has provided expert advice to GSK. MI-G has been an employee of GSK since January 2023, although the work presented here was completed before this date. KCJ has received investigator-initiated research grant support from GSK. NAC has served on a rotavirus vaccine Data Safety Monitoring Board for GSK and has served on a rotavirus vaccine Scientific Advisory Board for Sanofi Pasteur. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.