Maternal Immunity Provides Protection against Pertussis in Newborn Piglets

Abstract

Pertussis continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children worldwide. Methods to control the disease are based on vaccination with either whole-cell or acellular vaccines or treatment with antibiotics. However, despite worldwide vaccination infants are still at the highest risk for the disease. Here we used our newly developed newborn-piglet model to investigate whether transfer of maternal immunity can protect newborn piglets against infection with Bordetella pertussis. Pregnant sows were vaccinated with heat-inactivated B. pertussis or treated with saline (controls). Newborn piglets were allowed to suckle colostrum and milk for 4 to 5 days before they were challenged with 5 ؋ 10 9 CFU of bacteria intrapulmonarily. Elevated levels of B. pertussis-specific secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and IgG antibodies were found in the colostrum and serum of vaccinated sows but not in those of control sows. Subsequently, significant levels of specific IgG and S-IgA were detected in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of piglets born to vaccinated sows. Following infection with 5 ؋ 10 9 CFU of B. pertussis, clinical symptoms, pathological alterations, and bacterial shedding were significantly reduced in piglets that had received passively transferred immunity. Thus, our results demonstrate that maternal immunization might represent an alternative approach to provide protection against pertussis in young infants.

Protective Role of Passively Transferred Maternal Cytokines against Bordetella pertussis Infection in Newborn Piglets

“…In addition, colostrum was collected after farrowing and analyzed for the presence of B. pertussis-specific secretory IgA (S-IgA) and IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In agreement with our previous reports (44), all vaccinated sows displayed high levels of both IgG and S-IgA antibodies (P Ͻ 0.003), whereas these antibodies were not detectable in colostrum from control sows (data not shown). Passive transfer of these antibodies to newborn piglets was demonstrated by analyzing the serum of piglets born either to vaccinated or nonvaccinated sows.…”

“…pertussis antibodies in the serum of vaccinated sows, serum was collected prior to priming, boosting, and farrowing. As we have previously shown (44), high levels of both IgG and IgA isotypes were detected in the serum obtained from vaccinated sows prior to farrowing (P Ͻ 0.0001) but not in the serum from control sows (data not shown). In addition, colostrum was collected after farrowing and analyzed for the presence of B. pertussis-specific secretory IgA (S-IgA) and IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).…”

“…In contrast, another study has reported robust cellular immune response to inactivated influenza vaccine during pregnancy (43). We previously demonstrated that maternal immunity provides protection against B. pertussis in newborn piglets (44,45). Here, we build on our previous observations and demonstrate that in addition to maternal antibodies, maternal cytokines play an essential role in protection against B. pertussis.…”

Over‐expression of the bovine FcRn in the mammary gland results in increased IgG levels in both milk and serum of transgenic mice

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Depending on species, animals use different approaches to transfer maternal antibodies. Maternal IgG is transferred mainly through the placenta before birth in guinea pigs, rabbits and humans, 6,7 whereas in ungulates such as sheep, cows and pigs, newborns receive maternal antibodies exclusively through colostrum.…”

Measles-specific Neutralizing Antibodies in Rural Mozambique: Seroprevalence and Presence in Breast Milk

“…20 It has been shown that SIgA protect infants and young children against gastrointestinal and respiratory pathogens, 18,19 such as Shigella, respiratory syncytial virus, and Bordetella pertussis. [21][22][23][24] However, little is known of the role, if any, of sIgA in contributing to protection of young infants from measles during the window of vulnerability when placentally transferred maternal antibodies are waning and prior to vaccination. There are few data on the prevalence of measles-specific antibodies in breast milk.…”