BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence exists linking small size at birth to later-life susceptibility to chronic disease. Evidence is also emerging that some components of immune function may be programmed in early life. However, this evidence is limited and requires confirmation. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between size at birth and response to vaccination in a cohort of 257 adults (mean age: 29.4 y; 146 men) born in an urban slum in Lahore, Pakistan, during 1964-1978. DESIGN: A single dose of Vi polysaccharide vaccine for Salmonella typhi and 2 doses of rabies vaccine were given to each subject. Antibody titers were measured in prevaccination serum samples (Vi) and in postvaccination samples (Vi and rabies). RESULTS: The mean birth weight of the subjects was 3.24 kg; 14% of the subjects had low birth weights (<2.5 kg). Vaccine responses were not consistently associated with contemporary variables (month of study, sex, current age, or indicators of wealth). Response to typhoid vaccination was positively related to birth weight (anti-Vi immunoglobulin G: r = 0.138, P = 0.031; anti-Vi immunoglobulin M: r = 0.197, P = 0.034). Response to the rabies vaccine was not significantly associated with birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that components of the immune system may be permanently programmed by events in early life. The contrasting effects on typhoid and rabies responses suggest that antibody generation to polysaccharide antigens, which have greater B cell involvement, is compromised by fetal growth retardation.
BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence exists linking small size at birth to later-life susceptibility to chronic disease. Evidence is also emerging that some components of immune function may be programmed in early life. However, this evidence is limited and requires confirmation. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between size at birth and response to vaccination in a cohort of 257 adults (mean age: 29.4 y; 146 men) born in an urban slum in Lahore, Pakistan, during 1964-1978. DESIGN: A single dose of Vi polysaccharide vaccine for Salmonella typhi and 2 doses of rabies vaccine were given to each subject. Antibody titers were measured in prevaccination serum samples (Vi) and in postvaccination samples (Vi and rabies). RESULTS: The mean birth weight of the subjects was 3.24 kg; 14% of the subjects had low birth weights (<2.5 kg). Vaccine responses were not consistently associated with contemporary variables (month of study, sex, current age, or indicators of wealth). Response to typhoid vaccination was positively related to birth weight (anti-Vi immunoglobulin G: r = 0.138, P = 0.031; anti-Vi immunoglobulin M: r = 0.197, P = 0.034). Response to the rabies vaccine was not significantly associated with birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that components of the immune system may be permanently programmed by events in early life. The contrasting effects on typhoid and rabies responses suggest that antibody generation to polysaccharide antigens, which have greater B cell involvement, is compromised by fetal growth retardation.
Authors: Amy L Wooldridge; Robert J Bischof; Els N Meeusen; Hong Liu; Gary K Heinemann; Damien S Hunter; Lynne C Giles; Karen L Kind; Julie A Owens; Vicki L Clifton; Kathryn L Gatford Journal: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Date: 2014-02-05 Impact factor: 3.619
Authors: Vu Dinh Thiem; Feng-Ying C Lin; Do Gia Canh; Nguyen Hong Son; Dang Duc Anh; Nguyen Duc Mao; Chiayung Chu; Steven W Hunt; John B Robbins; Rachel Schneerson; Shousun C Szu Journal: Clin Vaccine Immunol Date: 2011-03-16
Authors: David J C Miles; Marianne van der Sande; Sarah Crozier; Olubukola Ojuola; Melba S Palmero; Mariama Sanneh; Ebrima S Touray; Sarah Rowland-Jones; Hilton Whittle; Martin Ota; Arnaud Marchant Journal: Clin Vaccine Immunol Date: 2008-04-09
Authors: Fehmida Jalil; Sophie E Moore; Nadeem S Butt; Rifat N Ashraf; Shakila Zaman; Andrew M Prentice; Lars A Hanson Journal: J Health Popul Nutr Date: 2008-03 Impact factor: 2.000
Authors: David J C Miles; Louis Gadama; Anita Gumbi; Flora Nyalo; Bonus Makanani; Robert S Heyderman Journal: Immunology Date: 2009-12-02 Impact factor: 7.397
Authors: Sophie E Moore; A M Prentice; Y Wagatsuma; A J C Fulford; A C Collinson; R Raqib; M Vahter; L A Persson; S E Arifeen Journal: Acta Paediatr Date: 2009-04-27 Impact factor: 2.299