1.
Serotype-specific pneumococcal antibodies in breast milk of Gambian women immunized with a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during pregnancy.
Obaro, SK, Deubzer, HE, Newman, VO, Adegbola, RA, Greenwood, BM, Henderson, DC
The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 2004;(11):1023-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND In breast-feeding populations, immunization during pregnancy with pneumococcal polysaccharide offers a potentially useful approach to preventing pneumococcal disease in young infants. METHODS Breast milk samples were collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 months after delivery from Gambian women vaccinated during pregnancy (24-32 weeks gestation) with Pneumovax II (n = 56) or Mengivax A&C (n = 57). Specimens were examined for secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) concentration, subclass distribution and avidity specific to pneumococcal serotypes 4, 6B, 14, 19F and 23F and the antigen mixture in Pneumovax II by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Colostral s-IgA and IgG concentrations in paired maternal sera were compared. RESULTS Colostral s-IgA concentrations specific to all pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens investigated were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among Pneumovax II vaccinees. Titers specific to serotypes 4, 6B and 14 and the vaccine formula remained significantly higher during 6 months, and those for 19F were higher during 4 months. Significantly higher concentrations of vaccine antigen-specific s-IgA antibody were sustained for 6 months after delivery (P = 0.011). Comparison of colostral s-IgA and IgG in serum revealed a significant correlation only among Mengivax A&C vaccinees for pneumococcal polysaccharide 23F (rs= 0.68; P < or = 0.0001). Vaccination elicited trends toward increased s-IgA2, reaching significance for serotype 14 and the vaccine formula. Immunization elicited significantly higher s-IgA avidities specific to all pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens studied during 6 months. CONCLUSIONS The public health value of immunization during pregnancy with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in breast-feeding populations warrants further evaluation, particularly in populations with a high incidence of pneumococcal disease in early infancy.
2.
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in vaginal fluids and perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission.
Pillay, K, Coutsoudis, A, Agadzi-Naqvi, AK, Kuhn, L, Coovadia, HM, Janoff, EN
The Journal of infectious diseases. 2001;(4):653-6
Abstract
The presence of both viral particles and antiviral mucosal proteins may represent critical determinants of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission. In 60 HIV-1-infected women, concentrations of the innate mucosal protein, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), were lower in vaginal fluid samples from 17 women whose babies became infected than in samples from nontransmitting women (mean+/-SE, 57+/-11 vs. 557+/-177 ng/mL, respectively; P=.01). Rates of transmission among women with higher SLPI concentrations (>100 ng/mL) were lower than those among women with lower concentrations (<100 ng/mL; 8.7% vs. 40.5%, respectively; P=.01). Concentrations of other putative HIV-1-inhibitory innate immune factors were similar in both groups. Concentrations of vaginal HIV-1 tended to be higher in transmitting than in nontransmitting women (407 vs. 174 virions/mL; P=.09). Increased concentrations of selected innate mucosal immune factors, such as SLPI, seem to be associated with reduced rates of perinatal HIV-1 transmission and may contribute to natural antiretroviral defense.