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Immunogenicity and immunologic memory of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in premature infants

Clare L Collins1, Jens U Ruggeberg, Gail Balfour

  • 1St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|November 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine primes immune memory in preterm infants, but antibody levels wane. Preterm infants showed lower responses to a booster, suggesting a need for routine booster doses, especially for preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccines are crucial for preventing Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C infections.
  • Routine immunization schedules in the UK included MCC vaccines starting in 1999.
  • This study investigates antibody persistence and immune memory induction by MCC vaccine in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the immunogenicity and immune memory induction of the MCC vaccine in preterm infants.
  • To compare immune responses in preterm infants to those of term infants.
  • To evaluate the impact of prematurity on vaccine effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 62 preterm and 60 term infants received MCC vaccine on an accelerated schedule (2, 3, and 4 months).
  • Immunogenicity and immune memory were assessed after primary immunization.
  • A meningococcal C polysaccharide challenge was administered at 12 months of age to evaluate immune memory.

Main Results:

  • Both preterm and term infants achieved similar protective antibody titers after primary immunization.
  • Antibody titers significantly waned by 1 year of age in both groups.
  • Post-challenge serum bactericidal activity was significantly lower in preterm infants (P = 0.03), with 73% achieving a 4-fold rise versus 88% in term controls (P = 0.07).

Conclusions:

  • The MCC vaccine is immunogenic and primes for immune memory in preterm infants.
  • Preterm infants exhibit decreased memory responses compared to term infants.
  • Findings suggest a role for a routine booster dose of MCC vaccine in all infants, particularly those born preterm, due to waning immunity.
Abstract

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