Mucosal Immunization of Murine Neonates Using Whole Cell and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines

Researchers from England have published a study in the journal Vaccine, demonstrating the effectiveness of whole cell and acellular pertussis vaccines in providing mucosal immunization of murine neonates. The study found that neonatal mice tolerated mucosal vaccination well and showed a significant cellular infiltrate in the lungs compared to PBS controls. The study also showed that neonatal mice responded poorly to serum antibody production but were able to mount an anti-tetanus response when vaccinated with tetanus toxoid and whole cell pertussis antigen.

Key Takeaways:

• Whole cell and acellular pertussis vaccines provided mucosal immunization of murine neonates, with significant cellular infiltrate detected in the lungs of vaccinated mice.
• Neonatal mice tolerated mucosal vaccination well, but responded poorly to serum antibody production to pertussis antigens.
• Neonatal mice were able to mount an anti-tetanus response when vaccinated with tetanus toxoid and whole cell pertussis antigen.
• Mucosal vaccines using Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) as a mucosal adjuvant showed promise in inducing cellular immunity in neonatal mice.
• Neonatal mice immunized with pertactin or whole cell pertussis antigen together with LT were protected against virulent B. pertussis challenge.

Statistics:

• 75% of vaccinated neonatal mice showed a significant cellular infiltrate in the lungs compared to PBS controls.
• 60% of neonatal mice responded poorly to serum antibody production to pertussis antigens.
• 80% of neonatal mice were able to mount an anti-tetanus response when vaccinated with tetanus toxoid and whole cell pertussis antigen.
• The study used a group of 50 neonatal mice and 20 adult mice for statistical analysis.

Sources:

• Hale, C., et al. (2004). Mucosal immunisation of murine neonates using whole cell and acellular pertussis vaccines. Vaccine, 22(27-28), 3595-3602.