title: Evaluation of postimmunization pneumococcal titers in children with recurrent infections and normal levels of immunoglobulin.
abstract: Seven children were evaluated who had recurrent sinusitis, acute otitis media, pneumonia, and mastoiditis. All children had normal or near normal levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM. One child displayed a poor antibody response following tetanus and diphtheria immunization. Another child was noted to be atopic as determined by allergy skin tests. A polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine was administered to all children after 24 months of age, with the average age of administration being 33 months. Titers were obtained 3 to 6 weeks following immunization and were evaluated to 12 serotypes using radioimmunoassay. All seven patients failed to mount an adequate response to immunization and were treated with a course of intravenous gammaglobulin. Five of seven children showed a distinct improvement in clinical course. Children with recurrent infections and normal levels of IgG may have a depressed ability to respond to pneumococcal antigen. Evaluation of their response to pneumococcal vaccine can be used as a marker to determine their ability to make antibody specific responses to multiple infectious agents. The failure to make a specific antibody response may be one factor in the susceptibility of these patients to recurrent infections.
authors: Atlanta Allergy Clinic, GA 30328.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Zora
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Silk
authors: D G
authors: DG
authors: Tinkelman
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000276:immunology*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D007073:Immunoglobulin E