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A Tale of Two Responses: Vaccine vs. Natural Immunity in Young Atopic Children

Charles H Song1, Yun Cheong Chang1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 19, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Children with recurrent respiratory infections often have low pneumococcal antibody levels. Allergic sensitization is linked to poorer antibody responses to certain pneumococcal serotypes, impacting immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) are common in young children.
  • Pneumococcal immunity is crucial for preventing severe infections.
  • The role of allergic sensitization in RRI pathogenesis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess baseline pneumococcal antibody levels in children under six with RRIs.
  • To determine the association between allergic sensitization and pneumococcal antibody levels.
  • To explore correlations with asthma and atopic dermatitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 38 immunized children (2-5 years) with RRIs.
  • Measurement of serum pneumococcal antibody levels against 23 serotypes.
  • Evaluation of allergic sensitization via skin prick tests or specific IgE; assessment of antibody response adequacy.

Main Results:

  • 71% of children had inadequate baseline pneumococcal antibody levels.
  • Allergic sensitization correlated with lower antibody levels for non-conjugate serotypes (p=0.04).
  • No significant association found between antibody levels and asthma or atopic dermatitis.

Conclusions:

  • Young children with RRIs frequently present with suboptimal immunity.
  • Allergic sensitization specifically impairs immune responses to non-conjugate pneumococcal antigens.
  • Atopy may selectively affect certain immune pathways relevant to respiratory health.
Abstract

Keywords:
allergic sensitizationatopyimpaired natural immunitypneumococcal antibodiespneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23)recurrent respiratory infectionsspecific antibody deficiency

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