THE HUMORAL IMMUNE-RESPONSE OF CHILDREN A ND INFANTS TO AN RSV INFECTION - ITS MATURATION AND ASSOCIATION WITH ILLNESS

In this study the immune response of 29 newborns and infants hospitali zed on behalf of a RSV infection was evaluated. Acute phase and conval escent sera were examined by a neutralization assay, in an immunoblot, and in an ELISA based on 10 synthetic peptides derived from RSV prote ins. The last two tests allow to monitor the synthesis of RSV specific antibodies of the infant. Despite the presence of maternal antibodies the initial immune response seems to be random and favours linear epi topes of the protein backbone of viral proteins. The earliest protecti ng antibodies' directed against glycosylated epitopes are acquired in the second half year of life. Antibodies generated during the primary immune response seem to predispose infected children to get ill.