Abstract
To enhance the immune response to PRP in young infants, we employed a conjugate vaccine whose synthesis is based upon the hapten-carrier principle for inducing T-cell immune responses. PRP was covalently coupled to D to make the PRP-D conjugate vaccine. To evaluate immunogenicity and safety in the crucial age group <6months we enrolled 60 newborns into a double blind placebo(saline)controlled trial to receive PRP-D vaccine at ages 2,4,and 6 mos. concurrent with DTP. Shown is the GMT anti-PRP AB conc.(ng/ml)by RIA and the proportion of vaccine responders(>2fold rise):
Immune responses were observed after the 2nd dose and all responders then boosted after the 3rd dose(avg.6fold). To date,individual PRP-D responses at 7 mos. were: <.05, 0.4, 0.8, 3.3, 4.6 and 13.5μg/ml. Preliminary ELISA data suggests the highest responses were IgG. There was no difference in reaction rates(local or systemic) between PRP-D or saline groups.
In the population of young infants at greatest HIB disease risk, PRP-D appears to be safe and have enhanced immunogenicity. Presence of an AB boost and IgG AB suggests a T-cell amplification of the PRP immune response with conjugate vaccines.
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Ward, J., Berkowitz, C., Pescetti, J. et al. ENHANCED IMMUNOGENICITY IN YOUNG INFANTS OF A NEW HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B(HIB) CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDE(PRP)-DIPHTHERIA TOXOID(D) CONJUGATE VACCINE. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 287 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01166
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01166