The induction of immunologic memory after vaccination with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate and acellular pertussis-containing diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine combination

J Infect Dis. 1999 Aug;180(2):538-41. doi: 10.1086/314901.

Abstract

The significance of reduced antibody responses to the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) component of acellular pertussis-containing combination vaccines (DTaP-Hib) is unclear. A DTaP-Hib vaccine evaluated in infants vaccinated at ages 2, 3, and 4 months showed reduced anti-Hib polysaccharide IgG (geometric mean concentration [GMC], 1.23 microgram/mL; 57%, >1.0 microgram/mL). Polyribitolribosyl phosphate (PRP) and Hib conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine given as a booster during the second year of life was evaluated for the presence of immunological memory. After boosting, most children achieved anti-PRP IgG >1.0 microgram/mL, although the GMC was higher with PRP-T (88.5 microgram/mL) than with PRP vaccine (7.86 microgram/mL, P<.001). The GMC of the PRP group was higher than anticipated for naive PRP recipients of the same age. PRP-specific IgG avidity was significantly higher after boosting than after priming, providing further evidence for the generation of memory. Despite reduced immunogenicity, DTaP-Hib combination vaccines appear to prime for immunologic memory.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / immunology*
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Infant
  • Polysaccharides / immunology
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Combined / immunology
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines
  • Haemophilus Vaccines
  • Haemophilus influenza type b polysaccharide vaccine-tetanus toxin conjugate
  • Polysaccharides
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Vaccines, Combined
  • Vaccines, Conjugate
  • polyribitol phosphate