Immunization of pregnant women with group B streptococcal type III capsular polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and immunogenicity of group B streptococcal (GBS) type III CPS-TT conjugate vaccine in pregnant women.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized (2:1, vaccine:placebo), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in women at 30-32 weeks' gestation and their infants. Immune responses were measured with IgG-specific ELISA assays; killing of III GBS by 1- and 2-month infant sera was assessed by opsonophagocytosis.


RESULTS
Immunization was well-tolerated; maternal and infant outcomes were similar in vaccine and placebo groups. III-TT conjugate elicited good levels of IgG to III CPS that were functionally active against type III GBS through age 2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal immunization with GBS CPS-TT conjugates could prevent maternal, neonatal and young infant GBS disease.
Baker
Carol J
CJ
Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. cbaker@bcm.tmc.edu
Rench
Marcia A
MA
McInnes
Pamela
P
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology*; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000276:immunology*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011134:Polysaccharides; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate