Immunological characterization of conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine failure in infants

Mijke A. Breukels, Lodewijk Spanjaard, Lieke A.M. Sanders, Ger T. Rijkers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Infant vaccination with conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine is highly effective in protecting against invasive Hib infections, but vaccine failures do occur. Twenty-one vaccine failures are reported since the introduction of the Hib conjugate vaccine in The Netherlands. Of the 14 evaluable patients, 6 children showed no antibody response to Hib polysaccharide in convalescent-phase serum (immunoglobulin [Ig] G anti-Hib level <1.0 μg/mL), including 1 child with hypogammaglobulinemia and 1 child with IgG2 deficiency. After revaccination, almost all children developed anti-Hib antibodies. In case of Hib vaccine failure, case investigation should be performed, including measurement of serum Ig concentrations as well as specific anti-Hib antibodies. Invasive Hib disease after infant conjugate Hib vaccination may be the presentation of an underlying immunodeficiency, but more often, only a decreased antibody response to Hib is found; revaccination with conjugated Hib vaccine is advised.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1700-1705
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume32
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jun 2001

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