Abstract | UNLABELLED: The lack of an adequate immune response to the major polysaccharide of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsule (polyribosyl ribitol phosphate) (PRP) in very young infants (< 18 months) can be overcome by conjugating PRP to a T-cell dependent carrier protein. We studied whether administration of a tetanus-PRP conjugate vaccine reconstituted with a diphtheria- tetanus-acellular pertussis- hepatitis B ( DTPa-HBV) vaccine as a three dose primary course at 3, 4 and 5 months of age induced PRP-specific immunological memory, by examining the anti-PRP response to a dose of unconjugated PRP given with the DTPa-HBV booster approximately 1 year later. The unconjugated PRP elicited protective anti-PRP antibody levels (> or = 0.15 microgram/ml) in all but 3 of the 369 vaccinees, including 13 infants who failed to demonstrate a measurable immune response after the primary course. In a sub-cohort of 54 subjects all had anti-PRP levels > or = 0.5 microgram/ml within 7-14 days of the booster showing a rapid anamnestic type response. Both primary and booster responses were predominantly IgGl indicating a T-cell dependent response. The DTPa-HBV components elicited protective anti- diphtheria, anti- tetanus and anti-HBs antibody levels in > or = 98.5% of vaccinees, and immune responses to each of the acellular pertussis vaccine components in 92.3%-97.3% of subjects. CONCLUSION: The tetanus-PRP conjugate vaccine not only elicited a good primary humoral response, but also induced immunological memory so that the infants were able to mount a large and rapid immune response to subsequent exposure to plain PRP, indicating that protection against circulating wild-type Hib had been generated. Successful induction of immunological memory occurred even when there was no measurable humoral anti-PRP response to the primary course. Tetanus-PRP conjugate vaccine can be used in combination with DTPa-HBV vaccine, when administered separately or as a single injection in the same syringe, in primary immunisation schedules at 3, 4 and 5 months of age.
|
Authors | F Zepp, H J Schmitt, A Kaufhold, A Schuind, M Knuf, P Habermehl, C Meyer, H Bogaerts, M Slaoui, R Clemens |
Journal | European journal of pediatrics
(Eur J Pediatr)
Vol. 156
Issue 1
Pg. 18-24
(Jan 1997)
ISSN: 0340-6199 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 9007484
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
|
Chemical References |
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
- Haemophilus Vaccines
- Hepatitis B Vaccines
- Tetanus Toxoid
- Vaccines, Combined
- Vaccines, Conjugate
|
Topics |
- Age Factors
- Analysis of Variance
- Antibody Formation
(immunology)
- Cross Reactions
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
- Female
- Haemophilus Infections
(prevention & control)
- Haemophilus Vaccines
- Hepatitis B Vaccines
- Humans
- Immunization Schedule
- Immunization, Secondary
- Immunologic Memory
- Infant
- Male
- Tetanus Toxoid
- Vaccines, Combined
- Vaccines, Conjugate
|