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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
The relationship between concentration of specific antibody at birth and subsequent response to primary immunization
Vaccine, Volume 32, No. 8, Year 2014
Notification
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Description
Background and aims: Trans-placentally acquired antibodies can protect infants from infection in the first months of life. However, high concentrations of antibody at birth may impact the infant's own immune response to primary immunization. We examine the relationship between concentration of specific antibody to Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), tetanus toxoid and pneumococcal antigens at birth and following primary immunization. Methods: Healthy mother-infant pairs were recruited from a UK maternity unit. Peripheral blood samples were obtained at birth and 4 weeks after primary immunization. Specific antibody concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Pertussis antibody concentrations >50. IU/ml, Tetanus antibody levels >0.1. IU/ml and Hib antibody levels >0.15. mg/l were regarded as protective. Results: Following primary immunization, 35/36 (97%) infants had specific antibody concentrations associated with protection against Hib, 32/36 (89%) against pertussis and 36/36 (100%) against tetanus. Concentrations of all specific antibodies were significantly higher than at birth (p<0.0001), except anti-tetanus toxoid, p=0.41. However, there was an inverse correlation between infant antibody concentration at birth and fold-increase in antibody concentration post-immunization for tetanus: rs -0.86 (95%CI -0.93 to -0.74), p<0.0001; pneumococcus: rs -0.82 (95% CI -0.91 to -0.67), p<0.0001; pertussis: rs -0.77 (95% CI -0.89 to -0.58), p<0.0001 and Hib: rs -0.66 (95%CI -0.82 to -0.42), p<0.0001. The highest concentrations of specific IgG at birth were associated with lower concentrations post-immunization for tetanus (p=0.009) and pneumococcus (p=0.03). This association was not observed for Hib (p=0.88) or pertussis (p=0.14). Conclusion: Higher antibody concentration at birth appeared to inhibit the response to infant immunization for tetanus and pneumococcus; the effect was less marked for Hib and pertussis. However, the majority of infants achieved high antibody levels post-immunization. This supports maternal immunization, as high levels of maternally derived antibody at birth may not inhibit infants' immunization responses in a clinically relevant manner. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Jones, Christine Elizabeth
United Kingdom, London
Imperial College London
United Kingdom, London
St George’s, University of London
Pollock, Louisa
Gambia, Banjul
Medical Research Council Laboratories Gambia
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Barnett, Sara M.
United Kingdom, London
Imperial College London
Battersby, Anna
United Kingdom, London
Imperial College London
Gambia, Banjul
Medical Research Council Laboratories Gambia
Kampmann, Beate B.
United Kingdom, London
Imperial College London
Gambia, Banjul
Medical Research Council Laboratories Gambia
Statistics
Citations: 67
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.11.104
ISSN:
0264410X
e-ISSN:
18732518
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health