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.
Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104.
P A
PA
Offit
E J
EJ
Hoffenberg
N
N
Santos
V
V
Gouvea
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007223:Infant; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral