Reduced antibody response to revaccination with meningococcal serogroup A polysaccharide vaccine in adults

Vaccine. 2000 Dec 8;19(9-10):1129-32. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(00)00317-0.

Abstract

Widespread use of meningococcal A and C polysaccharide (MACP) vaccines has raised concerns about induction of hyporesponsiveness to these polysaccharides. Immunological hyporesponsiveness to C polysaccharide has been clearly documented in infants, children and adults but only limited data from Gambian children are available for A polysaccharide. We investigated whether a second dose of MACP, given 6 months after an initial dose affected the immunological response as measured by the serum bactericidal assay (SBA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to serogroup A meningococci in young adults (university students, n=36). Serogroup A SBA responses 1 month following the second dose of MACP (geometric mean titre (GMT) 103.6, 95% CI 45.6-235.1) were approximately one third of the levels observed 1 month post first dose (GMT 281.9, 95% CI 134.9-581.4). The serogroup A-specific IgG levels post second dose (GMC 21.2, 95% CI 15.3-29.4) were also significantly lower at an average of three-quarters the level post first dose (GMC 28.7, 95% CI 20.8-39.7). This confirms that revaccination with MACP vaccine, 6 months following the initial dose, results in a reduced immunological response to A polysaccharide in adults. Repeated vaccination with MACP vaccine may be ineffective and development and use of meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccines should be encouraged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / immunology*
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Serotyping
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial