Immunogenicity of primary DPT vaccination

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP) vaccine has been used in Taiwan for over 30 years.
• Recent antibody responses to the DTP vaccine in children have not been extensively studied.
• Newer acellular pertussis vaccines utilize Bordetella pertussis antigens like pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate antibody responses to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in children vaccinated with DTP.
• To assess immunity against new pertussis antigens, pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin.
• To determine the immunogenicity of the current DTP vaccine in Taiwan.

Main Methods:

• Serological testing of 104 children aged 12-23 months who received three DTP vaccine doses.
• Conventional methods were used to measure diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin levels.
• Newer methods were employed to detect antibodies against pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin.

Main Results:

• Nearly all children (99%) had protective levels of diphtheria and tetanus antitoxins.
• At least 85% of vaccinated children likely possessed protective antibodies against pertussis, based on animal study criteria.
• The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the existing DTP vaccine in Taiwan.

Conclusions:

• The current DTP vaccine in Taiwan induces robust antibody responses for diphtheria and tetanus.
• The DTP vaccine appears to provide adequate protection against pertussis in the studied pediatric population.
• Any future DTP vaccine introduced in Taiwan must demonstrate comparable or superior immunogenicity to the current vaccine.