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Pertussis antibodies in postpartum women and their newborns

Journal of Perinatology volume 30, pages 93–97 (2010)Cite this article

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%) (P=0.03).

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. General Pediatric Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    J H Shakib, G J Stoddard & C L Byington

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    S Ralston & H H Raissy

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

    K M Edwards

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  1. J H Shakib
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Correspondence to J H Shakib.

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Shakib, J., Ralston, S., Raissy, H. et al. Pertussis antibodies in postpartum women and their newborns. J Perinatol 30, 93–97 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.138

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