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Pertussis: an important target for maternal immunization

Kathryn M Edwards1

  • 1Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. kathryn.edwards@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu

Vaccine
|July 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Maternal immunization against pertussis in pregnancy can protect newborns. Higher maternal antibodies may weaken infant responses to some vaccines, highlighting the need for timely infant vaccination schedules.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Infant pertussis (whooping cough) protection relies on maternal antibodies and early vaccination.
  • Maternal antibodies wane, leaving infants vulnerable before completing their primary immunization series.
  • Understanding the impact of maternal antibodies on infant vaccine response is crucial for optimizing protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify antipertussis IgG levels in cord blood and infant serum.
  • To investigate the correlation between maternal antibody concentrations and infant immune response to pertussis vaccines.
  • To evaluate the potential of maternal immunization for neonatal protection.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of antipertussis IgG concentrations in cord blood and infant serum at various time points.
  • Assessment of infant antibody responses following whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccine administration.
  • Statistical analysis to determine associations between maternal antibody levels and infant vaccine responses.

Main Results:

  • Cord blood antipertussis IgG levels in infants mirrored maternal levels.
  • Measurable antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin were absent in most infants by 4 months.
  • Higher maternal PT antibody concentrations correlated with a diminished infant response to whole-cell pertussis vaccine, but not acellular vaccine.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal immunization during pregnancy may offer passive immunity to newborns.
  • Maternally derived antibodies can potentially interfere with infant responses to certain pertussis vaccine formulations.
  • Maternal immunization could bridge the protection gap until infant vaccination schedules induce robust immunity.

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