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Immunogenicity of a three-component acellular pertussis vaccine administered at birth
Cesare Belloni1, Annalisa De Silvestri, Carmine Tinelli
1Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Pavia, Italy. cbelloni@smatteo.pv.it
Insights
Administering the acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine at birth alongside the standard schedule boosts infant antibody levels. This early immunization strategy enhances protection against pertussis in infants under six months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis remains a significant concern for infants under six months.
- Current acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine schedules may not provide optimal early protection.
- Maternal antibodies can influence infant vaccine responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the immunogenicity of a 3-component aP vaccine (containing filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactine (PRN), and genetically detoxified pertussis toxin (PT)) in infants receiving a dose at birth.
- To compare the immune response in infants vaccinated at birth versus those vaccinated according to the standard schedule.
- To investigate the impact of maternal antibodies on the infant aP vaccine response.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels.
- Two groups of infants were studied: Group 1 (n=45) received aP vaccine at birth, 3, 5, and 11 months; Group 2 (n=46) received aP vaccine at 3, 5, and 11 months.
- Maternal antibody levels were tested at delivery.
Main Results:
- At 5 months, infants in Group 1 (2 doses) showed significantly higher geometric mean titers (GMTs) for anti-PT, anti-FHA, and anti-PRN compared to Group 2 (1 dose).
- At 6 months, Group 1 maintained significantly higher GMTs for anti-PRN and anti-FHA than Group 2.
- No significant difference in anti-PT GMTs was observed between groups at 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Early pertussis immunization at birth may enhance protection in infants younger than 6 months.
- This strategy could be particularly beneficial in regions like Italy with later recommended vaccination ages.
- Further research into optimal early infant vaccination schedules is warranted.
Objective:
To evaluate within the first 6 months of birth the immunogenicity of a 3-component acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine containing filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactine (PRN), and genetically detoxified pertussis toxin (PT) in infants who received a dose of vaccine at birth, in addition to the recommended schedule administered at 3, 5, and 11 months. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of maternal antibodies on aP vaccine response.
Methods:
We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate immunoglobulin G antibody levels in 45 infants immunized at birth and at 3, 5, and 11 months (group 1) and in 46 infants immunized at the ages of 3, 5, and 11 months (group 2). All mothers were also tested at delivery.
Results:
At the age of 5 months the geometric mean titer of anti-PT, anti-FHA, and anti-PRN was significantly greater in group 1 (who had received 2 doses) than in group 2 (1 dose). At 6 months geometric mean titers were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 for anti-PRN and anti-FHA, whereas no significant differences were observed for anti-PT.
Conclusions:
Immunization at birth may be important for an earlier prevention of the pertussis disease in infants under 6 months, especially in Italy, where the recommended ages for aP vaccine administration are 3, 5, and 11 months.