Serum antibodies before and after immunisation in haemodialysed children

Serum antibodies (AB) have been measured before and after vaccination in haemodialysed children. The main finding was a normal increase in AB titres following adsorbed vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis) demonstrating a normal humoral immune ability. By contrast, a poor response to live attenuated viruses (poliomyelitis and measles) was observed. Two additional findings were an inhibitor effect of tetanus toxoid in mice by uraemic serum, and a constant negative Schick test indicative of suppressed non-specific skin reactivity.