Immunological impact of an additional early measles vaccine in Gambian children: responses to a boost at 3 years.

Authors:
Address: Medical Research Council Laboratories, Banjul, Gambia.
Journal:

Publication:

abstract

BACKGROUND:

measles vaccine in early infancy followed by a dose at 9 months of age protects against measles and enhances child survival through non-specific effects. Little is known of immune responses in the short or long term after booster doses.

METHODS:

Infants were randomized to receive measles vaccine at 9 months of age (group 1) or 4 and 9 months of age (group 2). Both groups received a boost at 36 months of age. T-cell effector and memory responses using IFN-γ ELIspot and cytokine assays and antibody titres using a haemagglutination-inhibition assay were compared at various times.

RESULTS:

Vaccination at 4 months of age elicited antibody and CD4 T-cell mediated immune responses .Two weeks after vaccination at 9 months of age group 2 had much higher antibody titres than group1 infants; cell-mediated effector responses were similar. At 36 months of age group 2 antibody titres exceeded protective levels but were 4-fold lower than group 1; effector and cytokine responses were similar. Re-vaccination resulted in similar rapid and high antibody titres in both groups (median 512); cellular immunity changed little. At 48 months of age group 2 antibody concentrations remained well above protective levels though 2-fold lower than group 1; T-cell memory was readily detectable and similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

An additional early measles vaccine given to children at 4 months of age induced a predominant CD4 T-cell response at 9 months and rapid development of high antibody concentrations after booster doses. However, antibody decayed faster in these children than in the group given primary vaccination at 9 months of age. Cellular responses after 9 months were generally insignificantly different.

Related Articles
Immunization with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in partially immunized toddlers.
Pediatrics. 2006
Immunization with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in partially immunized toddlers.
Englund JA, Walter EB, Gbadebo A, Monto AS, Zhu Y, Neuzil KM. Pediatrics. 2006 Sep; 118(3):e579-85.
Early two-dose measles vaccination schedule in Guinea-Bissau: good protection and coverage in infancy.
Int J Epidemiol. 1999
Early two-dose measles vaccination schedule in Guinea-Bissau: good protection and coverage in infancy.
Garly ML, Martins CL, Balé C, da Costa F, Dias F, Whittle H, Aaby P. Int J Epidemiol. 1999 Apr; 28(2):347-52.
Measles antibody: comparison of long-term vaccination titres, early vaccination titres and naturally acquired immunity to and booster effects on the measles virus.
Vaccine. 1994
Measles antibody: comparison of long-term vaccination titres, early vaccination titres and naturally acquired immunity to and booster effects on the measles virus.
Christenson B, Böttiger M. Vaccine. 1994 Feb; 12(2):129-33.
Review Measles and mumps vaccination as a model to investigate the developing immune system: passive and active immunity during the first year of life.
Vaccine. 2003
Review Measles and mumps vaccination as a model to investigate the developing immune system: passive and active immunity during the first year of life.
Gans H, DeHovitz R, Forghani B, Beeler J, Maldonado Y, Arvin AM. Vaccine. 2003 Jul 28; 21(24):3398-405.
Review Maternal antibody blocks humoral but not T cell responses to BVDV.
Biologicals. 2003
Review Maternal antibody blocks humoral but not T cell responses to BVDV.
Endsley JJ, Roth JA, Ridpath J, Neill J. Biologicals. 2003 Jun; 31(2):123-5.

To top • Home

TraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

The contents within traveldoctoronline are presented only for informational purposes and cannot substitute for professional health care or any other medical treatment.All users of this website with health problems should be oblige always to consult their medical doctor before starting any treatment.