Induction and persistence of local rotavirus antibodies in relation to serum antibodies

The induction and persistence of local rotavirus antibodies, including stool IgA, jejunal IgA, and jejunal neutralizing antibody, were evaluated in 14 adult volunteers infected with the CJN strain of human rotavirus. In addition, the relationships between local rotavirus IgA and serum rotavirus IgA, IgG, and neutralizing antibody were determined. Both stool and serum rotavirus IgA appeared to have similar kinetics. Both antibodies peaked by days 14-17 after inoculation in all subjects, then decreased rapidly. By days 26-28, titers had fallen to 13% and 30% of their respective peaks. Serum rotavirus IgG peaked somewhat later, occurring in five subjects on days 26-28. Serum neutralizing antibody peaked on days 26-28 in all but three subjects. Both serum IgG and neutralizing antibodies also declined more slowly than rotavirus IgA. Although all antibody concentrations had decreased to only a fraction of their peak responses by days 270-365 after rotavirus inoculation they remained higher than baseline levels. For example, stool rotavirus IgA concentrations were 13.5-fold higher than baseline, while jejunal rotavirus IgA and neutralizing antibody were 8.9- and 4.3-fold above baseline, respectively. Similarly, serum antibodies remained 3.7- to 11.2-fold higher than baseline at 270-365 days after rotavirus inoculation. These studies imply that serum rotavirus IgA is a good indicator of local antibody responses. Furthermore, although both serum and local antibody titers peaked within 2-4 weeks after infection, these antibodies persisted at above baseline concentrations for at least 9-12 months after infection.