title: Aging and the immune response to the Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide: retention of the dominant idiotype and antibody function in the elderly.
abstract: Anti-Haemophilus influenzae b polysaccharide (Hib PS) antibodies elicited in elderly subjects following conjugate vaccination expressed a light-chain variable-region (VL)-associated idiotype and had functional activities similar to those previously observed in children and younger adults. These findings indicate that advanced age is not accompanied by shifts in the major VL component of the Hib PS-specific repertoire or by diminution of the protective function of antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, California 94609, USA. alucas@lanminds.com
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Reason
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000097:blood*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C044237:Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial