Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BackgroundMeasles vaccine in early infancy followed by a dose at 9 months of age protects against measles and enhances child survival through non-specific effects. Little is known of immune responses in the short or long term after booster doses.MethodsInfants were randomized to receive measles vaccine at 9 months of age (group 1) or 4 and 9 months of age (group 2). Both groups received a boost at 36 months of age. T-cell effector and memory responses using IFN-γ ELIspot and cytokine assays and antibody titres using a haemagglutination-inhibition assay were compared at various times.ResultsVaccination at 4 months of age elicited antibody and CD4 T-cell mediated immune responses .Two weeks after vaccination at 9 months of age group 2 had much higher antibody titres than group1 infants; cell-mediated effector responses were similar. At 36 months of age group 2 antibody titres exceeded protective levels but were 4-fold lower than group 1; effector and cytokine responses were similar. Re-vaccination resulted in similar rapid and high antibody titres in both groups (median 512); cellular immunity changed little. At 48 months of age group 2 antibody concentrations remained well above protective levels though 2-fold lower than group 1; T-cell memory was readily detectable and similar in both groups.ConclusionsAn additional early measles vaccine given to children at 4 months of age induced a predominant CD4 T-cell response at 9 months and rapid development of high antibody concentrations after booster doses. However, antibody decayed faster in these children than in the group given primary vaccination at 9 months of age. Cellular responses after 9 months were generally insignificantly different.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.01.083

Type

Journal article

Journal

Vaccine

Publication Date

03/2012

Volume

30

Pages

2543 - 2550

Addresses

Medical Research Council Laboratories, Banjul, Gambia.

Keywords

T-Lymphocytes, Humans, Measles virus, Measles, Measles Vaccine, Antibodies, Viral, Cytokines, Immunization, Secondary, Immunologic Memory, Child, Preschool, Infant, Gambia, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Interferon-gamma