Long-term pertussis-specific immune responses to a combined diphtheria, tetanus, tricomponent acellular pertussis and hepatitis B vaccine in pre-term infants.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titres against pertussis antigens, Bordetella pertussis-specific proliferation and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated at the age of 5-6 years in 13 children who had been pre-term infants with a gestational age (GA) of < or = 31 weeks, 10 who had been pre-term infants with a GA of 32-37 weeks, and 15 who had been term infants with a GA of 38-42 weeks. All of the infants had been immunised with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, tricomponent acellular pertussis and hepatitis B vaccine (DTaP-HBV) at 3, 5, and 11 months of post-natal age. Our results show that the long-term immune responses induced by primary pertussis vaccination in the pre-term infants (especially those with a GA of < or = 31 weeks) were qualitatively and quantitatively lower than those observed in the term infants. In order to maintain an adequate pertussis-specific immune response, in term children a booster at 5-6 years of age may be suggested, whereas in pre-term an earlier booster should be useful.
Pediatric Department I, University of Milan, Via Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Susanna
S
Esposito
Giacomo
G
Faldella
Anna
A
Giammanco
Samantha
S
Bosis
Ornella
O
Friscia
Mario
M
Clerici
Nicola
N
Principi
D000367:Age Factors; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D016207:Cytokines; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C122182:diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-Hib-hepatitis B vaccine