Durability of Passive Measles Antibody in Jamaican Children

Abstract

Measles antibody titres were determined by haemagglutination inhibition and by neutralization in 221 sets of serum collected from delivering mothers, umbilical cords, and infants when about six months of age. Radio-immunoassay was also used to measure antibody in 120 sera. Total IgG concentration was determined in the infant sera. All mothers had measles antibody and the mean titre was high. At the time of birth, measles antibody had been further concentrated in the infant. Nevertheless, many children lost protective titres before six months of age. The rate of loss was correlated with the infant's total serum IgG so that high IgG levels at six months correlated with rapid loss of measles-specific antibody. It is suggested that in homes where sanitation is poor, antibody is made to many agents at an early age. To maintain physiological balance, homeostatic mechanisms then increase the rate of catabolism of all IgG, including that passively acquired. In keeping with its stage of sanitary development, vaccination in Jamaica can profitably be given earlier than in the United States, but it must be later than in many African countries.

Neonatal Measles Immunity in Rural Kenya: The Influence of HIV and Placental Malaria Infections on Placental Transfer of Antibodies and Levels of Antibody in Maternal and Cord Serum Samples

“…Our data suggest that almost onefifth (17.6% [95% CI, 9.6%-25.6%) of children born to HIVinfected mothers are seronegative for measles antibodies at birth. Although the present study did not assess levels of maternal measles antibodies during infancy, previous studies have reported that infants born with low levels of maternal measles antibodies continue to have lower levels over time, compared with those who are born with higher levels [39,40]. Furthermore, a proportion of adults in this rural area are seronegative for measles antibodies.…”

A cross-sectional seroepidemiology study of EV-D68 in China

“…Maternal antibodies are the major immune mechanism that protects neonates against pathogens, but they can also interfere with the effects of immunization 22 , 23 . The weakened rate in neonates was different in different regions because of the different levels of infection rates and titers.…”

Multi-Centre Observational Study of Transplacental Transmission of Influenza Antibodies following Vaccination with AS03A-Adjuvanted H1N1 2009 Vaccine

“…Ochola et al demonstrated the half-life of passively acquired maternal RSV antibodies in infants was 79 days. [50] Other studies of the persistence of passive maternal antibodies to H.pylori and measles both suggest that immunity has waned by 6 months after birth [48], [49], [51]; however other work suggests the half-life period for influenza antibodies may vary. [52]–[54] …”