Authors:
Corscadden KJ; Kirkham LAS; Thornton RB; Vijayasekaran S; Coates HL; Richmond PC; Wiertsema SP
Authors notes:
Vaccine. 2013;31(10):1393-1399
Keywords:
Acute otitis media, Antibody titres, Middle ear effusion, Pneumococcal IgG antibodies
Abstract:
Recurrent acute otitis media (AOM), frequently caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, is a major paediatric health problem.
A reduced antibody response against pneumococcal polysaccharides may contribute to an increased susceptibility to AOM.
Pneumococcal serotype specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 levels were similar in children with or without AOM, except for IgG and IgG1 levels against serotype 5, which were significantly higher in children with a history of frequent AOM.
The age-related development of pneumococcal serotype-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 levels was similar in children with or without a history of AOM.
Pneumococcal serotype specific IgG was present in middle ear effusion and these levels correlated significantly with serum titres.
Children with a history of frequent AOM receiving ventilation tubes do not have a deficient IgG, IgG1 or IgG2 response against pneumococcal polysaccharides, either induced by vaccination or due to natural exposure.
The strong correlation between IgG levels in serum and the middle ear suggests parenteral pneumococcal conjugate vaccination induces antibodies in the middle ear which may therefore contribute to reducing the burden of AOM.