title: Mucosal antibody response to parenteral vaccination with Haemophilus influenzae type b capsule.
abstract: The simultaneous serum and mucosal antibody response to parenteral vaccination with the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) polysaccharide capsule (PRP) was evaluated in a group of 10 children and nine adults. All subjects responded to parenteral vaccination with an increase in serum anticapsular antibody. The children's preimmunization anti-PRP antibody level (mean = 0.04 microgram/ml) and 3 wk postimmunization level (mean = 19.3 micrograms/ml) were lower than the adults' (preimmunization mean = 1.5 microgram/ml; postimmunization mean = 81.2 micrograms/ml). Eight of 10 children and seven of nine adults also developed a rise in antibody in nasal secretions. The children's mean nasal preimmunization level was 0.74 microgram/mg IgA and mean postimmunization level was 5.0 micrograms/mg IgA. The adults' mean nasal preimmunization level was 0.98 microgram/mg IgA and mean postimmunization level was 3.0 micrograms/mg IgA. Salivary antibody responses generally followed the pattern of nasal antibody responses. These data suggest that parenteral administration with the Hib capsular polysaccharide can produce a mucosal antibody response. Furthermore, although serum antibody responses to PRP vaccination are greater in adults than in children, mucosal antibody responses are comparable.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A