title: Materno-foetal transfer of H. influenzae and pneumococcal antibodies is influenced by prematurity and low birth weight: implications for conjugate vaccine trials.
abstract: The influence of prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) on transplacental transfer of Haemophilus influenza type B and Streptococcus pneumoniae antibodies was assessed in 213 mothers and their neonates from Gambia. Paired maternal and cord serum samples were tested for specific IgG antibody titres for H. influenza and S. pneumococcus antigens using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Prematurity and LBW was significantly associated with reduced placental antibody transfer for these antigens.The reduced materno-foetal transfer of these antibodies in this vulnerable population of babies may further predispose them to more bacterial infections. These findings are of practical importance to the vaccination strategies.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Laboratories, P.O. Box 273, Fajara, Banjul, Gambia. okokobrown@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Okoko
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Wesumperuma
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D005714:Gambia; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000276:immunology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology*; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C044237:Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate