Rotavirus-specific humoral and cellular immune response after primary, symptomatic infection

The humoral and cellular immune response after symptomatic, primary rotavirus infection was examined in 8 children < 2 years old. Rotavirus-specific IgA, rotavirus-specific helper T (Th) cells, and neutralizing antibody responses were evaluated at the time of illness, 2-8 weeks later, and 3-5 months later. In addition, rotavirus strains associated with infection were tested by polymerase chain reaction analysis using oligonucleotide primers specific for genes 4 (P type) and 9 (G type). The absence of rotavirus-specific IgA or rotavirus-specific helper T cell activity at the time of illness was consistent with a primary infection in 7 of 8 children. Two children were infected with serotype 1 (P type 1, G type 1), 3 with serotype 3 (P type 1, G type 3), and 3 with serotype 4 (P type 1, G type 4) strains. Neutralizing antibodies were directed against the gene 4 (P type) protein product (vp4). Because all infecting strains were P type 1, convalescent antisera did not distinguish among different rotavirus G types. Rotavirus-specific IgA responses were detected in 6 of 8 and rotavirus-specific Th cell responses in 7 of 8 children during convalescence.