OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of prematurity and low birthweight (LBW) on transplacental antibody transfer. METHOD: In a physician-blinded, cross-sectional study of 213 mother--baby pairs in the labour ward of Bansang Hospital, The Gambia, paired maternal and cord serum samples were tested for specific IgG antibody titres for measles virus (MeV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), tetanus toxoid (TT) and diphtheria toxoid (DT) antigens using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Prematurity was significantly associated with reduced placental antibody transfer for MeV, HSV1, TT, DT, RSV and VZV. Maternal antibody transfer for MeV, HSV1, TT, DT, RSV and VZV was significantly lower in neonates with LBW than in babies with adequate birthweight (ABW). CONCLUSION: Materno--foetal transfer of antibodies is impaired in prematurity and LBW babies in this Gambian population. Reduction in antibody transfer may further predispose these already vulnerable neonates to bacteria and viral infections. Therefore, alternative vaccination strategies, including earlier vaccination schedules, are needed to provide better protection to these young infants.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of prematurity and low birthweight (LBW) on transplacental antibody transfer. METHOD: In a physician-blinded, cross-sectional study of 213 mother--baby pairs in the labour ward of Bansang Hospital, The Gambia, paired maternal and cord serum samples were tested for specific IgG antibody titres for measles virus (MeV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), tetanus toxoid (TT) and diphtheria toxoid (DT) antigens using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Prematurity was significantly associated with reduced placental antibody transfer for MeV, HSV1, TT, DT, RSV and VZV. Maternal antibody transfer for MeV, HSV1, TT, DT, RSV and VZV was significantly lower in neonates with LBW than in babies with adequate birthweight (ABW). CONCLUSION: Materno--foetal transfer of antibodies is impaired in prematurity and LBW babies in this Gambian population. Reduction in antibody transfer may further predispose these already vulnerable neonates to bacteria and viral infections. Therefore, alternative vaccination strategies, including earlier vaccination schedules, are needed to provide better protection to these young infants.
Authors: Priscila M S Castanha; Cynthia Braga; Marli T Cordeiro; Ariani I Souza; Claudeir D Silva; Celina M T Martelli; Willem G van Panhuis; Eduardo J M Nascimento; Ernesto T A Marques Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2016-04-07 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Jessica E Atwell; Bhagvanji Thumar; Leanne J Robinson; Roselyn Tobby; Phantica Yambo; Maria Ome-Kaius; Peter M Siba; Holger W Unger; Stephen J Rogerson; Christopher L King; Ruth A Karron Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2015-08-03 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Maureen O'Leary; Sara Thomas; Lisa Hurt; Sian Floyd; Caitlin Shannon; Sam Newton; Gyan Thomas; Seeba Amenga-Etego; Charlotte Tawiah-Agyemang; Lu Gram; Chris Hurt; Rajiv Bahl; Seth Owusu-Agyei; Betty Kirkwood; Karen Edmond Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2016-06-01 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Joyce Uchi Nyiro; Charles Jumba Sande; Martin Mutunga; Patience Kerubo Kiyuka; Patrick Kioo Munywoki; John Anthony G Scott; David James Nokes Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-11-16 Impact factor: 3.240