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Updated: Jul 1, 2025
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Correlates of immune protection against human rotaviruses: natural infection and vaccination
Tayebeh Latifi1, Atefeh Kachooei2,3, Somayeh Jalilvand4
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Insights
Correlates of protection (CoPs) against rotavirus gastroenteritis are complex, involving immune responses like IgA and IgG. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving rotavirus vaccine efficacy, especially in vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Species A rotaviruses are a primary cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children globally.
- Existing knowledge on rotavirus pathogenesis and immunology is advancing, yet correlates of protection remain incompletely defined.
- Factors influencing protection include serological responses (IgA, IgG), maternal antibodies, and the gut microbiome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss current understanding of correlates of protection against human rotavirus disease.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding the interacting components that contribute to protection.
- To inform the development of next-generation rotavirus vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of available data on rotavirus correlates of protection.
- Analysis of immunological factors such as intestinal IgA, serum IgA, and IgG levels.
- Consideration of the role of maternal antibodies and the intestinal microbiome.
Main Results:
- Intestinal IgA and serum IgA are suggested as key correlates for oral rotavirus vaccines.
- Serum IgG may serve as a correlate of protection for parenteral, non-replicating rotavirus vaccines.
- Integrating clinical and immunological data is essential for enhancing vaccine efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Further research into correlates of protection is vital for advancing rotavirus vaccine development.
- Understanding CoPs can help improve vaccine performance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- Addressing knowledge gaps will facilitate the creation of more effective rotavirus vaccines.
Abstract:
Species A rotaviruses are the leading viral cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age worldwide. Despite progress in the characterization of the pathogenesis and immunology of rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis, correlates of protection (CoPs) in the course of either natural infection or vaccine-induced immunity are not fully understood. There are numerous factors such as serological responses (IgA and IgG), the presence of maternal antibodies (Abs) in breast milk, changes in the intestinal microbiome, and rotavirus structural and non-structural proteins that contribute to the outcome of the CoP. Indeed, while an intestinal IgA response and its surrogate, the serum IgA level, are suggested as the principal CoPs for oral rotavirus vaccines, the IgG level is more likely to be a CoP for parenteral non-replicating rotavirus vaccines. Integrating clinical and immunological data will be instrumental in improving rotavirus vaccine efficacy, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where vaccine efficacy is significantly lower than in high-income countries. Further knowledge on CoPs against rotavirus disease will be helpful for next-generation vaccine development. Herein, available data and literature on interacting components and proposed CoPs against human rotavirus disease are reviewed, and limitations and gaps in our knowledge in this area are discussed.
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