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Maternally transferred neutralising dengue antibodies in Thai infants: a pilot study
Krisana Pengsaa1, Sutee Yoksan, Kriengsak Limkittikul
1Department of Tropical Pediatrics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. tmkps@mahidol.ac.th
Insights
Maternally transferred dengue antibodies in newborns are high but wane over the first year. Dengue vaccine efficacy may be impacted by these antibodies, with less interference expected after 12 months of age.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Dengue is a significant public health concern in endemic regions.
- Maternal antibodies play a crucial role in infant immunity.
- Understanding the persistence of dengue antibodies is vital for vaccination strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify maternally transferred dengue neutralising antibodies in infants.
- To assess the decline of these antibodies over the first year of life.
- To evaluate the potential impact on dengue vaccine efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 42 mother-infant pairs and infant follow-up samples were analyzed.
- Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT50) was the primary assay.
- IgG ELISA and Haemagglutination Inhibition Assay (HAI) were used for comparison.
Main Results:
- Newborns had high neutralising antibody prevalence (91-95%) for all four dengue serotypes.
- Antibody levels significantly decreased with infant age.
- Maternally derived antibodies were undetectable in 12-month-old infants.
Conclusions:
- High levels of maternally transferred dengue antibodies are present in newborns in endemic areas.
- These antibodies persist for up to 9 months, potentially interfering with infant dengue vaccination.
- Vaccine efficacy interference is likely reduced in infants over 12 months old.
Abstract:
In a dengue-endemic area, sera from 42 mother-infant pairs and sera collected from the infants at follow-up at the ages of 3 months (n =27), 6 months (n =34), 9 months (n =23) and 12 months (n =8) were tested for antibodies to four dengue serotypes using a plaque reduction neutralisation test (PRNT(50)), IgG ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI). The IgG ELISA and HAI tests were less sensitive than PRNT(50) in detecting low levels of antibodies. Levels of maternally transferred dengue neutralising antibodies in the cord sera were very high and identical to those in the mothers. Neutralising antibody prevalences in the newborns were 95% to dengue serotype 1 (DEN-1), 93% to DEN-2 and DEN-3 and 91% to DEN-4. The antibodies decreased with increasing age. At least one dengue serotype neutralising antibody persisted in the infants at ages 3, 6 and 9 months in 92%, 69% and 13%, respectively. No maternally transferred antibody was observed in 12-month-old infants. In endemic areas therefore, where most infants have maternally transferred dengue antibodies, interference with dengue vaccine is likely to be less after 12 months of age than before then.
