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The response of institutionalized Down's syndrome subjects to enterovirus infections
Abstract:
In a study comparing the responses of institutionalized Down's syndrome (DS) and non-Down's (ND) inmates to enterovirus infections, the frequency of wild enteric viruses and the excretion patterns of oral polio vaccine (OPV) viruses were similar in both groups. Antibody titres developed to poliovirus types 2 and 3 following vaccination were similar in DS and ND vaccinees, but the response to type I virus was significantly less in DS vaccinees. As judged by the development of poliovirus antibody in non-vaccinees, the spread of virus from OPV-immunized to unimmunized subjects in the institution was not noticeably different in DS and ND subjects. An unexpected finding was that the excretion patterns of all three serotypes of poliovirus were strikingly similar for each individual, although the patterns varied considerably from individual to individual. The similarity of excretion occurred despite wide differences within an individual in the titres of neutralizing serum antibodies to the three serotypes. It is suggested that the rate at which a given individual eliminates enteroviruses may be largely determined by factors, the activities of which are not reflected in serum antibody titres.
Insights
Individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) and non-DS individuals showed similar enterovirus infection patterns. However, DS individuals had a reduced antibody response to poliovirus type 1 after vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Enterovirus infections are common in institutionalized populations.
- Down's syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that may affect immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the enterovirus infection and immune response in institutionalized individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) and non-DS (ND) individuals.
- To investigate poliovirus vaccine efficacy and virus shedding patterns in DS and ND populations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of institutionalized DS and ND inmates.
- Analysis of wild enteric virus frequency and oral polio vaccine (OPV) virus excretion patterns.
- Measurement of antibody titres to poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 post-vaccination and in non-vaccinees.
Main Results:
- Similar frequencies of wild enteric viruses and OPV virus excretion patterns were observed in both DS and ND groups.
- DS vaccinees showed a significantly reduced antibody response to poliovirus type 1 compared to ND vaccinees, while responses to types 2 and 3 were similar.
- No significant difference in poliovirus spread between vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects was noted between DS and ND groups.
- Individual enterovirus excretion patterns were remarkably consistent across all three poliovirus serotypes, irrespective of varying serum antibody titres.
Conclusions:
- While DS individuals exhibit a diminished antibody response to poliovirus type 1, their overall enterovirus handling and vaccine virus spread are comparable to non-DS individuals.
- Serum antibody titres may not fully reflect an individual's capacity to eliminate enteroviruses, suggesting other regulatory factors are at play.