Immune response to meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine in asplenic individuals

Infect Immun. 2004 Jan;72(1):332-7. doi: 10.1128/IAI.72.1.332-337.2004.

Abstract

Asplenic individuals are known to be at increased risk of infection with encapsulated bacteria. Recent United Kingdom recommendations stated that this at-risk group should receive one dose of the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccine. However, the immune response of asplenic individuals to MCC vaccine is unknown. The immune response of asplenics (n = 130) to immunization with the MCC vaccine was investigated. Asplenic individuals had a significantly lower geometric mean titer (GMT) (157.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 94.5 to 263.3) of bactericidal antibody in serum (SBA) than an age-matched control group (n = 48) (1448.2; 95% CI, 751.1 to 2792.0). However, 80% of asplenic individuals achieved the proposed protective SBA titer of > or =8. No differences were observed between the two groups in the serogroup C-specific immunoglobulin G geometric mean concentration. A significant reduction in SBA GMT or the number of responders achieving an SBA titer of > or =8 was observed if the reason for splenectomy was a medical cause or if MCC vaccination occurred <10 years after splenectomy. Individuals (n = 29) who did not achieve an SBA titer of > or =16 were offered a second dose of MCC vaccine. Analysis of the SBA response revealed that 61% (14 of 23) of the individuals who received a second dose achieved a protective titer. In total, 93% of asplenic individuals achieved a titer of > or =8 following MCC vaccination (one or two doses combined). We recommend that, following vaccination of asplenics, either the level of functional antibody should be determined, with a second dose of MCC vaccine offered to nonresponders, or two doses of MCC vaccine should be routinely offered.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Blood Bactericidal Activity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Infections / immunology*
  • Meningococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neisseria meningitidis / immunology*
  • Splenectomy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine