title: Immunological memory: the role of B cells in long-term protection against invasive bacterial pathogens.
abstract: Protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines that protect against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis, and multiple capsular serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae have had a major impact on invasive bacterial disease in childhood when incorporated into routine infant immunization schedules. However, effectiveness data from the United Kingdom suggest that primary infant immunization alone may not be associated with long-term protection. Both immunological priming and antibody persistence are important aspects of long-term protection induced by these vaccines. An improved understanding of the immunobiology of the B-cell response to these vaccines may direct development of immunization strategies that provide sustained protection.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford Department of Paediatrics, Oxford, England. dominic.kelly@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dominic F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.forename: E Richard
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Moxon
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007223:Infant; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C044237:Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate; C410218:serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine