Background: Infectious factors in breast milk such as viral particles and living infected cells are of prime importance in the transmission of HIV by breastfeeding.
Objectives: To perform effective approaches for reducing HIV transmission via breastfeeding, we investigated the biological importance of infectious viral particles and infected BMCs in breast milk.
Study design: Alteration of viral infectivity was monitored using a modified experimental infection assay that exploited the cytotoxicity of breast milk, and BMC viability was evaluated by flow-cytometric analysis.
Results: Infectious viral particles were found to decrease time-dependently after contact with breast milk, whereas BMCs showed prolonged survival in breast milk.
Conclusions: The biological importance of infected BMCs in breast milk for the transmission of HIV via breastfeeding was considered.