Abstract
Objective: To (1) determine the proportion of mothers and infants who had levels of IgG antibody to pertussis antigens predicted to be potentially protective at delivery; (2) evaluate the efficiency of maternal-infant antibody transport; (3) extrapolate infant antibody titers at 6 weeks; and (4) identify maternal factors associated with potentially protective infant antibodies. Study Design: Sera from mother-infant pairs from February 2006 through to April 2007 were tested for antibody to pertussis antigens by standardized ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Potentially protective antibody levels were defined as > 5 ELISA units (EU) for pertussis toxin (PT), and > 10 EU for fimbriae (FIM) and pertactin (PRN). Serological evidence of previous maternal infection was defined from antibody to four antigens by k-means cluster analysis. Result: In total, 21% (17/81) of mothers and 26% (21/81) of infants had potentially protective antibody levels at delivery. Mean infant-maternal antibody ratios for PT, FIM and PRN were 1.26, 1.36 and 1.31, respectively. At 6 weeks, 11% (9/81) of infants were predicted to have potentially protective antibody levels. Using cluster analysis, 9% (7/81) of mothers had evidence of previous pertussis infection. Infants born to these mothers were predicted to be more likely to have potentially protective antibodies at 6 weeks (43%) than those born to mothers without previous infection (8%) (P0.03). Conclusion: Approximately 75% of infants were born with pertussis antibody levels lower than the modest levels associated with potential protection. Despite effective antibody transfer, nearly 90% of infants were predicted to have little antibody by 6 weeks. Maternal immunization before or during pregnancy might simulate previous pertussis infection and help protect infants through the first months of life.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 93-97 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Perinatology |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2010 |
Keywords
- Immunization
- Infants
- Infection
- Pertussis
- Transplacental immunity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology