Absence of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C-specific antibodies during the first year of life in the Netherlands: an age group at risk?

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2009 Oct;16(10):1521-3. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00274-09. Epub 2009 Aug 19.

Abstract

In The Netherlands, a single meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MenCC) vaccination is administered to children at the age of 14 months. Here, we report the levels of MenC polysaccharide-specific antibodies in children at birth and at 3, 11, and 12 months of age and the presence of functional antibodies at 11 months of age, before infants receive their MenCC immunization. We observed a rapid decline in polysaccharide-specific antibodies after birth and no induction of naturally elicited polysaccharide-specific antibodies. Furthermore, at 11 months of age, no bactericidal antibodies are observed. These data indicate that these infants may be at risk in the period prior to MenCC immunization, if Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C starts to (re)circulate.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Blood Bactericidal Activity
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / immunology
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / immunology*
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / pathogenicity
  • Netherlands
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / administration & dosage
  • Risk Factors

Substances

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