ANTIPNEUMOCOCCIC IMMUNITY REACTIONS IN INDIVIDUALS OF DIFFERENT AGES.
1Thorndike Memorial Laboratory, Second and Fourth Medical Services (Harvard), Boston City Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Pneumococcidal power in human blood varies with age and pneumococcal type. Antibody levels and skin reactions to pneumococcal proteins also show age-dependent patterns, indicating developing immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pneumococcidal power of defibrinated blood varies with age.
- Type-specific antibody distribution differs among pneumococcal types.
- Skin reactivity to pneumococcal antigens changes with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-related incidence of pneumococcidal power.
- To compare the frequency of pneumococcidal power for different pneumococcal types (I, II, III).
- To analyze the age distribution of type-specific antibodies and skin reactions to pneumococcal antigens.
Main Methods:
- Assessing pneumococcidal power of whole defibrinated blood across age groups.
- Comparing antibody frequencies for pneumococcal Types I, II, and III.
- Evaluating skin reactions to pneumococcal proteins and autolysates using age-stratified analysis.
Main Results:
- Pneumococcidal power incidence significantly varies with age.
- Pneumococcal Type II showed the highest incidence, followed by Type III, and then Type I.
- Skin reactions were rare in infants, infrequent in children, and common in adults.
Conclusions:
- Age is a critical factor influencing pneumococcidal power and antibody presence.
- Distinct patterns exist for pneumococcal serotypes regarding immune response.
- Immune system maturation correlates with increased skin reactivity to pneumococcal antigens.
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