[Immunogenicity and tolerability of Haemophilus b-tetanus protein conjugate (PRP-T) in children with sickle cell anemia].
BACKGROUND
Infants and young children with sickle cell anemia are at increased risk of infection with Haemophilus influenzae type b. This report describes the immunogenicity and safety of Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine in such children.


METHODS
One hundred and eleven children aged 6 months-11 years (mean: 3.7 years) were studied. They belonged to a cohort of over 600 children in the Paris area that have sickle cell anemia. After parental consent, they were given one injection (intramuscularly or subcutaneously) of Haemophilus influenzae type b-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (0.5 ml). Any adverse reactions during the following 3 days were noted. Titers of specific antibodies were measured just before injection, one month, and one year later.


RESULTS
The vaccine was well tolerated, with only local reactions: erythematous reactions in 5 children and pain in 30. In the children aged 6 months-3 years, the mean antibody titers increased from 0.09 to 20.6 micrograms/ml, 1 month after the vaccination; in those aged 3-11 years, the mean titer increased from 0.44 to 56.86 micrograms/ml. One year after vaccination, the titers measured in 61 children were over 1 microgram/ml in 92% of children aged 6 months-3 years and in 100% of the older children.


CONCLUSIONS
This type of vaccine is immunogenic and well tolerated. Thus the vaccination schedule recommended for children with sickle cell anemia aged over 6 months is the same as that for normal children.
de Montalembert
M
M
Service du Centre de la Drépanocytose et de la Thalassémie de l'Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris.
Bégué
P
P
Fritzell
B
B
Houmeau
P
P
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C055753:Haemophilus influenza type b polysaccharide vaccine-tetanus toxin conjugate; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid
Immunogénicité et tolérance du vaccin anti-Haemophilus b conjugué à la protéine tétanique (PRP-T) chez l'enfant drépanocytaire.