Immunological characterization of conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine failure in infants.

Abstract

Infant vaccination with conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine is highly effective in protecting against invasive Hib infections, but vaccine failures do occur. Twenty-one vaccine failures are reported since the introduction of the Hib conjugate vaccine in The Netherlands. Of the 14 evaluable patients, 6 children showed no antibody response to Hib polysaccharide in convalescent-phase serum (immunoglobulin [Ig] G anti-Hib level <1.0 microg/mL), including 1 child with hypogammaglobulinemia and 1 child with IgG2 deficiency. After revaccination, almost all children developed anti-Hib antibodies. In case of Hib vaccine failure, case investigation should be performed, including measurement of serum Ig concentrations as well as specific anti-Hib antibodies. Invasive Hib disease after infant conjugate Hib vaccination may be the presentation of an underlying immunodeficiency, but more often, only a decreased antibody response to Hib is found; revaccination with conjugated Hib vaccine is advised.

• Authors: M A Breukels, L Spanjaard, L A Sanders, G T Rijkers
• Journal: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Clin Infect Dis) Vol. 32 Issue 12 Pg. 1700-5 (Jun 15 2001) ISSN: 1058-4838 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11360210 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Haemophilus Vaccines
• Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine
• Polysaccharides, Bacterial
• Vaccines, Conjugate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Bacterial Capsules
• Child
• Female
• Haemophilus Vaccines (immunology)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Meningitis, Haemophilus (prevention & control)
• Middle Aged
• Polysaccharides, Bacterial (immunology)
• Treatment Failure
• Vaccines, Conjugate (immunology)