STRUCTURE AND PROTECTIVE CAPACITY OF TETANUS AND DIPHTHERIA ANTIBODIES PRODUCED DURING HUMAN-PREGNANCY AND TRANSFERRED TO NEWBORN

PROBLEM: The structure and protective activity of antibodies against t etanus (anti-T) and diphtheria (anti-D), produced during human pregnan cy and transferred to new-born, was studied. METHOD: Antibody levels w ere measured by ELISA in non-pregnant women (control group), primipara e, and multiparae, and in their children. The proportion of symmetric and asymmetric IgG molecules was determined and their respective prote ctive capacity evaluated. RESULTS: The quantity of asymmetric anti-T a nd anti-D antibodies in mothers at the time of delivery was roughly fo ur- and three-fold that of the control group, respectively, dropping s ignificantly 1 month later. A similar proportion of these antibodies w as observed in the new-born. The lower neutralizing capacity of asymme tric molecules was demonstrated in vivo. CONCLUSION: Results show that during pregnancy there is a modulation of the immune response with an increase in the production of asymmetric molecules of lower protectiv e capacity.