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Pertussis antibody responses in infants born to mothers vaccinated at different time points in pregnancy
Olwenn Daniel1, Sashank Srikanth1, Paul Clarke2
1Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection and Vaccine Institute, School of Health & Medical Sciences, City St George's University of London, London, UK.
Insights
Maternal pertussis vaccination in early-mid pregnancy may boost infant antibody levels. This study found higher FHA-specific IgG in preterm infants whose mothers were vaccinated earlier, offering protection at 5 and 12 months.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Maternal and Infant Health
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Optimal timing for antenatal pertussis vaccination is debated.
- Maximizing infant antibody concentrations, especially in preterm infants, is a key concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal pertussis vaccination timing during pregnancy on infant immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels.
- To assess FHA-specific IgG concentrations in preterm infants at 5 and 12 months.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of residual serum samples from the BEAR PAW study.
- Comparison of IgG levels in preterm infants born to mothers vaccinated at different gestations versus unvaccinated mothers.
Main Results:
- Maternal vaccination in the early-to-mid second trimester correlated with increased FHA-specific IgG concentrations.
- Elevated IgG levels were observed in preterm infants at both 5 and 12 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Early-mid second-trimester maternal pertussis vaccination may enhance passive immunity transfer to preterm infants.
- This timing strategy could be beneficial for improving infant protection against pertussis.
Abstract:
The optimal timing of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy is debated, especially to maximise antibody concentrations in infants born preterm. This study investigated immunoglobulin G (IgG) in preterm infants at 5 and 12 months, whose mothers had received a pertussis-containing vaccine at different gestations or were unvaccinated. Results show that vaccination in the early-mid second trimester may result in increased FHA specific IgG concentrations in preterm infants at 5 and 12 months. The BEAR PAW study used residual serum samples from the BEAR Men B study (Babies born Early Antibody Response to Men B vaccination (NCT03125616)).
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