IMMUNOGLOBULIN-E AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G RESPONSES TO PERTUSSIS TOXIN INCHILDREN IMMUNIZED WITH ADSORBED AND NON-ADSORBED WHOLE-CELL PERTUSSIS VACCINES

The IgE and IgG responses to pertussis toxin were measured in blood sa mples from 70 children (age 1.5-2.9 years) after primary immunisation with either a non-aluminium adsorbed, whole cell vaccine (n = 34) or a n aluminium adsorbed whole cell vaccine (n = 36). Two years later, the y received a booster immunisation with either the non-adsorbed (n = 24 ) or the aluminium adsorbed vaccine (n = 14). Neutralising antibodies to pertussis toxin were higher (P < 0.05) after the three priming dose s of the adsorbed vaccine than of the non-adsorbed vaccine, although b oth groups showed > 90% seropositives after the third dose. IgE antibo dies to PT (PT-IgE) were detected in samples from 11/52 children after completed primary immunisation and the levels were low (median less t han or equal to 0.1 PRU ml(-1)) in both groups. No significant differe nces between the groups were found. Pt-IgE levels did not increase aft er the booster injection. Thus, the aluminium content of the whole cel l vaccines influenced the IgG response but not the IgE responses to pe rtussis toxin. The high rates of Pt-IgE responses noted after a booste r-dose of acellular or whole cell pertussis vaccine to children primed with acellular vaccine in previous studies can therefore be mainly as cribed to the nature of the priming vaccine rather than the aluminium adjuvant. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.