CIRCULATING ANTIBODY-SECRETING CELLS AND HUMORAL ANTIBODY-RESPONSE AFTER PARENTERAL IMMUNIZATION WITH A MENINGOCOCCAL POLYSACCHARIDE VACCINE

Antibody-secreting cells (ASC) and serum antibody response were measur ed in 15 adult volunteers immunized subcutaneously with group A and C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, The vaccine induced an IgA-domin ated ASC response both to meningococcal group A (Men A) and group C (M en C) polysaccharides suggesting an activation of mucosa-committed B c ells. Also the relative increase in serum IgA antibodies was higher th an in IgC or IgM antibodies. The results support earlier studies showi ng that the T-cell independent polysaccharide antigens induce an IgA d ominated antibody response and a mucosal response may be induced also by systemic administration.