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Antibody persistence in splenectomized adults after pneumococcal vaccination
H B Konradsen1, J L Nielsen, F K Pedersen
1WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Pneumococci, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Antibody levels in splenectomized adults vaccinated with Pneumovax declined significantly within two years and remained low for ten years. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in all vaccinated asplenic patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Splenectomized adults are at increased risk of pneumococcal infections.
- Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for asplenic individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term antibody concentrations after pneumococcal vaccination in splenectomized adults.
Main Methods:
- 16 splenectomized adults were vaccinated with a 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine.
- Pneumococcal antibody concentrations were measured before and up to 10 years post-vaccination.
Main Results:
- Antibody concentrations declined to 71% of post-vaccination levels within 2 years.
- Antibody levels remained stable at this reduced level throughout the 10-year study period.
Conclusions:
- Long-term pneumococcal antibody levels wane significantly in vaccinated splenectomized adults.
- Further studies are required to determine the generalizability of these findings to all asplenic patients.