Related Experiment Videos
Responses to rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccines in otitis-prone and non-otitis-prone children
K Prellner1, G Harsten, B Löfgren
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Children with recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) show a weaker antibody response to rubella vaccination. This suggests impaired immune responses in otitis-prone children beyond just pneumococcal bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) in children may be linked to delayed immunologic maturation.
- A known factor is a lack of antibodies against certain pneumococcal types associated with AOM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the broader immunologic response in children with rAOM.
- To compare antibody responses to diphtheria, tetanus, and rubella vaccinations in children with and without rAOM.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 13 children with rAOM and 29 controls from birth to 3 years.
- Antibody levels were measured following diphtheria, tetanus, and rubella vaccinations.
Main Results:
- Children with rAOM exhibited a significantly lower antibody response to the rubella vaccine.
- No significant differences in antibody responses to diphtheria or tetanus vaccines were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with rAOM may have an impaired immune response not only to pneumococcal antigens but also to certain protein antigens like rubella.
- This finding suggests a more generalized immunologic dysregulation in otitis-prone children.
Abstract:
Delayed immunologic maturation--among other things based on a selective lack of antibodies against some acute purulent otitis media (AOM)-associated pneumococcal types--has been proposed in children with recurrent AOM (rAOM). To further elucidate the immunologic response in these children, we compared the antibody responses to diphtheria, tetanus, and rubella vaccinations in 13 children with rAOM and 29 children without AOM. The children took part in a prospective study from birth to the age of 3 years. The antibody response to the rubella vaccine was significantly lower in the children with rAOM. The responses to tetanus and to diphtheria did not differ between children with and without rAOM. Thus, the results indicate that in addition to the known lack of antibodies against pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens, a lower antibody response against at least one protein antigen may exist in otitis-prone children.