Immunogenicity and immunologic memory of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in premature infants.
BACKGROUND
Protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C were introduced into the U.K. routine immunization schedule in 1999. This study is the first to describe both persistence of antibody and evidence for induction of immune memory using meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine in preterm infants.


METHODS
Immunogenicity and induction of immunologic memory by as MCC vaccine was assessed in premature infants; 62 preterm and 60 term controls received MCC at the accelerated schedule (2, 3 and 4 months of age). A meningococcal C polysaccharide challenge was administered at 12 months of age.


RESULTS
Both groups achieved similar protective titers after primary immunization that then waned significantly by 1 year of age. Postchallenge serum bactericidal activity was significantly lower in preterm infants (P = 0.03); 73% of preterm versus 88% of term controls achieved a 4-fold rise in serum bactericidal activity (P = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
MCC vaccine is immunogenic and primes for immunologic memory in preterm infants. The decreased memory responses in these preterm infants in conjunction with waning clinical efficacy data for all U.K. infants suggest a role for a routine booster dose of vaccine in all infants receiving MCC, especially those born preterm.
Collins
Clare L
CL
St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
Ruggeberg
Jens U
JU
Balfour
Gail
G
Tighe
Helen
H
Archer
Marion
M
Bowen-Morris
Jane
J
Diggle
Linda
L
Borrow
Ray
R
Balmer
Paul
P
Buttery
Jim P
JP
Moxon
E Richard
ER
Pollard
Andrew J
AJ
Heath
Paul T
PT
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; C410218:serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine