New findings reported from University of Iowa describe advances in immunization
March 9th, 2009
2009 MAR 9 -- "The interpretation of an adequate response to the unconjugated 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine for serotypes having high preimmunization titers remains challenging. We sought to determine whether high preimmunization titers preclude a 4-fold or greater response to vaccination," scientists in the United States report.
"Moreover, we sought to determine the effect of the following covariates on this response: absolute preimmunization titer value, age, sex, serum IgG level, and serum IgG subclasses. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who were seen in our immune disorders clinic between 2001 and 2007 who had received the unconjugated 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of different covariates, including preimmunization titer values, age, sex, IgG levels, and IgG subclass values, on the odds of a 4-fold or greater antibody response. Per serotype, 10% to 40% of subjects with a high preimmunization titer attained at least a 4-fold response to vaccination. However, the odds of a 4-fold or greater response were found to decrease as a function of the absolute preimmunization titer value with an absolute value for each serotype beyond which the odds ratio approached zero. High pneumococcal preimmunization titers do not necessarily preclude a 4-fold or greater response to vaccination. However, there appear to be serotype-specific preimmunization titer values, ranging from 4.4 to 10.3 mu g/mL, above which a 4-fold or greater response would not be expected," wrote N.D. Hare and colleagues, University of Iowa.
The researchers concluded: "This response does not seem to be significantly affected by age, sex, IgG level, or IgG subclass value. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;1.23:195-200.)'."
Hare and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination as a function of preimmunization titer. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2009;123(1):195-200).
For more information, contact Z.K. Ballas, University of Iowa, Division Allergy Immunology, Dept. of Internal Medical, C42-E-13, GH, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is: Mosby-Elsevier, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA.
Keywords: United States, Iowa City, Allergies, Allergy Medicine, Biotechnology, Clinical Immunology, Immune System Disease, Immunization, Immunology, Pneumococcal, Vaccination, Vaccines, University of Iowa.
This article was prepared by Pharma Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pharma Business Week via NewsRx.com.
