title: Subnormal and waning immunity to tetanus toxoid in previously vaccinated HIV-infected children and response to booster doses of the vaccine.
abstract: Little is known regarding waning immunity to tetanus toxoid (TT) in HIV-infected children and the need for booster doses before the recommended interval of 5-10 years. Anti-tetanus antibodies were assessed by ELISA in 24 HIV-infected and 24 control children. A protective level (>0.1 IU/ml) of TT antibodies was observed in 62% of HIV-infected children and in 100% of controls. HIV-infected children with five doses had a significantly (p=0.01) lower prevalence of protective immunity compared to controls. Follow-up anti-TT antibody levels in nine HIV-infected children declined from 1.27 to 0.26 IU/ml, but levels did not decline in the seven controls; five of the seven (71%) children with a non-protective level of antibodies responded with a level>0.16 IU/ml following one booster dose of the vaccine. HIV-infected children may need TT boosters before the recommended 5-10 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Meharry Medical College, 1005 D.B. Todd Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA. Electronic address: schoudhury@mmc.edu.
authors.forename: Shahana A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: Fazle
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matin
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D013742:Tetanus / Q000517:prevention & control; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid
keywords: Booster; HIV; Immunity; Tetanus; Waning