Humoral immune response in infants after BCG vaccination.
METHODS
Child welfare division of a university-based department of pediatrics in Turkey.


OBJECTIVE
To determine specific IgM and IgG response after BCG vaccination.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized trial.


METHODS
Serum samples of 66 infants were taken before and at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months after vaccination. 35 infants were vaccinated at the first month and 31 at the second month after delivery. An ELISA assay was performed using PPD antigen.


RESULTS
IgM antibodies increased significantly (P < 0.05) during the post-vaccination period. On the other hand IgG antibodies decreased in the second month after vaccination. At the fourth month the IgG level began to rise continuously (P < 0.01). The infants who were vaccinated at the second month showed a higher IgM response at the second and fourth month than those vaccinated in the first month (P < 0.05), but the difference was not visible thereafter (P > 0.05). 52 infants (78%) were tuberculin positive 8 weeks after vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-PPD IgM and IgG levels rise progressively in BCG-vaccinated infants.
Beyazova
U
U
Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Rota
S
S
Cevheroğlu
C
C
Karsligil
T
T
D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology*; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014373:Tuberculin