Resumo

DELGADO TORRALBO, Elena et al. Levels of bactericidal antibodies against meningococcus C following the vaccination of children between 2 and 6 years of age in Andalusia. Rev. Esp. Salud Publica [online]. 2000, vol.74, n.4, pp.00-00. ISSN 2173-9110.

BACKGROUND: In 1997, 18.5%  of the cases of Meningococcal Disease caused by serogroup C in Andalusia were children between 2 and 4 years of age; ages where the initial immune response and the duration of the capsular A+C meningococcal polyssacharide vaccine is less than in older age groups. Research was designed in order to measure the immune response produced by this vaccine in children from 2 to 6 years of age and to compare it with the natural immunity present in unvaccinated children. METHODS: I. Dual monitoring study: a) groups of children vaccinated previously and control groups, b) groups of children who were going to be vaccinated, for pre- and post-vaccination (1, 6 and 12 months) analysis and a control group.  II. The bactericidal activity was measured according to the standardised protocol of the CDC with regard to the strain of N. meningitidis C-11.  The sera with bactericidal activity (TAB) > 1:8 were considered to be protective.. RESULTS:  1 and 2 months following vaccination, the proportion of  TAB > 1:8 was significantly higher than that of the control group (65.6% and 73% in comparison to 2.2% and 12%).  In the pre-vaccine and post-vaccine (after 6, 7, 12 and 13 months) verification, no significant difference between vaccinated individuals and controls was observed. CONCLUSIONS:  The differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals 1 and 2 months following vaccination indicate seroconversion in the vaccinated individuals.  For the age group of between 2 to 6 years of age, the bactericidal activity acquired decline quickly, as, after 6 months, differences between this group and the control group  are no longer observed.

Palavras-chave : Meningococcal disease; Vaccination.

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