Characterization of the adaptive immune response of donors receiving live anthrax vaccine

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 20;16(12):e0260202. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260202. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Live anthrax vaccine containing spores from attenuated strains STI-1 of Bacillus anthracis is used in Russia and former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) to prevent anthrax. In this paper we studied the duration of circulation of antibodies specific to spore antigens, the protective antigen (PA), the lethal factor (LF) and their domains (D) in donors' blood at different times after their immunization with live anthrax vaccine. The relationship between the toxin neutralization activity level and the level of antibodies to PA, LF and their domains was tested. The effect of age, gender and number of vaccinations on the level of adaptive post-vaccination immune response has been studied. It was shown that antibodies against PA-D1 circulate in the blood of donors for 1 year or more after immunization with live anthrax vaccine. Antibodies against all domains of LF and PA-D4 were detected in 11 months after vaccination. Antibodies against the spores were detected in 8 months after vaccination. A moderate positive correlation was found between the titers of antibodies to PA, LF, or their domains, and the TNA of the samples of blood serum from the donors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity*
  • Anthrax / immunology
  • Anthrax / prevention & control
  • Anthrax Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Anthrax Vaccines / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
  • Blood Donors
  • Humans
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Russia
  • Spores, Bacterial / immunology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Anthrax Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • anthrax toxin

Grants and funding

The study was conducted within the framework of the grant of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement No. 075-15-2019-1671 of October 31, 2019).