Frequent failure of adolescent booster responses to tetanus toxoid despite infant immunization: waning of infancy-induced immune memory?
To define the capacity of a tetanus toxoid booster to reactivate infant-triggered immunity, anti-tetanus antibodies were assessed before and after boosting 162 adolescents and 219 children from Mfou (Cameroon). Among 63 adolescents with 3 recorded dose of infant DTP, 29/63 (46%) responded with a > or =4-fold increase of antibody titers, 35/63 (55%) reaching the 0.10UI/ml threshold. Response rates were slightly higher (62%) in children aged 10-11 years. Responders and non-responders only differed significantly in their baseline anti-tetanus antibodies. Thus, early life immune immaturity may limit the persistence of infant-induced immunity and subsequent boosters may be required for sustained protection.
Posfay-Barbe
Klara M
KM
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland.
Kobela
Marie
M
Sottas
Cedric
C
Grillet
Stéphane
S
Taguebue
Jean
J
Ekoe
Tetanye
T
Lambert
Paul-Henri
PH
Lecoultre
Claude
C
Siegrist
Claire-Anne
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid