[The effect of acute-phase proteins on inflammation edema due to vaccination]

The authors describe the profiles of a series of acute phase plasma proteins induced by vaccination (VAC) for cholera, typhoid, yellow fever and combinations of these with DTP. Cholera and typhoid VAC as single vaccinations induce the strongest reaction, yellow fever the weakest. The reaction pattern depends also on the kind of vaccination: DTP, especially, raises haptoglobin levels. Great individual variability in reaction exists. The authors also investigated the relation between the levels of these acute phase proteins, including alpha 2-macroglobulin, and the amount of inflammatory oedema that developed at the vaccination site. It was found that the pre-vaccination levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin and haptoglobin were correlated negatively with the oedema developed 24 hrs later, while fibrinogen showed a positive relationship. The acute phase reaction of these proteins did not alter these correlations. The other acute phase proteins had no influence on the oedema in this model. It is concluded that the existing substantial individual differences in plasma levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen and haptoglobin in part govern the degree of oedema developing after a vaccination; they are to be regarded as factors of the so called 'innate immunity'.