Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in E. coli,Food Safety,Our Blog on March 12, 2025
Something that many new or even experienced mothers forget is that what goes into their bodies can often be transferred to a baby through breastmilk. E. coli & breastfeeding a baby is something that deserves to be looked into.
Recently, a large number of cases of antibiotic-resistant E. coli O104 have been reported in Germany, some in breastfeeding mothers. This particular species is known to secrete Shiga toxins and to produce potentially severe renal disease in humans. The question has arisen as to whether breastfeeding mothers should continue to breastfeed while undergoing therapy for this severe infection.
First, this E. coli variant is highly infectious and mother-to-infant infection could occur. While it is known that human milk contains bacteria, most if not all arise from contamination of the mother’s nipple and areola, not the ductal tissue within the breast. Thus it is unlikely that human milk itself will be contaminated with E. coli, but rather the mother’s skin. A thorough washing of the mother’s hands and breast with soap and water prior to breastfeeding could significantly reduce mother-to-infant transmission of this E. coli.
The Shiga toxin secreted by this species is rather large in molecular weight, approximately 68,000 Daltons. Because of its size, Shiga toxin is very unlikely to enter into the milk compartment of infected mothers.[1] That said, mothers in the first 7 days postnatally or in late stage lactation (with involution) could transfer some of this toxin because the alveolar epithelium is less intact, and larger molecules, viruses, bacteria and Shiga toxins might transfer under these conditions. Mothers in the colostral period should probably refrain from breastfeeding until the milk supply is stable at about 7 days. Breastfeeding mothers past the postnatal stage should be advised to continue to breastfeed their infant while under therapy for this infection, as many other studies have suggested that the risk of diarrheal disease from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and other bacterial species, is significantly reduced in breastfed infants. Apparently components in human milk, such as lactoferrin, secretory IgA, glycosphingolipids and lipopolysaccharides provide additional protective factors that confer early resistance to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli by preventing its attachment in the intestine and essentially stopping its pathogenic course.[2] In addition, human milk contains a glycolipid GB3 which is known to bind Shiga toxin and reduce its virulent activity.[3] Further research demonstrates that the antibodies found in human milk may indeed be responsible for reducing the incidence of renal failure associated with Shiga toxin, a lethal result of this infection.
Continued breastfeeding may be important in protecting the health and life of infants, even in the context of maternal E. coli infection. We would suggest the following in E. coli O104 infected mothers: 1. If the infection occurs early postnatally, pump and discard the milk for at least 7 days to preclude the transmission of the Shiga-toxin. During the colostral phase, more Shiga toxin may enter milk. 2. If the mother’s milk supply is intact and robust, she should continue to breastfeed. 3. The mother should wash her hands and breasts thoroughly with soap and water to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
You may be exposed to E. coli from contaminated water or food — especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. Healthy adults usually recover from infection with E. coli O157:H7 within a week. Young children and older adults have a greater risk of developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection usually begin three or four days after exposure to the bacteria. But you may become ill as soon as one day after exposure to more than a week later. Signs and symptoms include:
Contact your doctor if your diarrhea is persistent, severe or bloody.
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