SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007

December 10, 2007

Assessment of Immune Response to Polysaccharide Immunization

Summary
Drs. Paris and Sorensen review the use of pneumococcal vaccine (polysaccharide) immunization to assess immune response. In this review, they discuss the interpretation of the response, potential longevity of the response, and the use of conjugated and unconjugated pneumococcal vaccine. Of particular help is their section on interpretation of an adequate response which includes the following:

  • A fourfold or greater increase in specific antibody titers after immunization.
  • A concentration of more than 1.3 mcg/ml of specific antibody regardless of the response.
  • An age-dependent percent of serotypes responding. In children 2 to 5 years of age, 50% of the serotypes should increase by fourfold, and in patients 6 years or older, 70% of serotypes should increase.

Reference
Paris K and Sorensen R. Assessment and clinical interpretation of polysaccharide antibody responses. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 2007; 99:462-464.

 

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