The effect of inherited antibodies on the active immunization of infants

Pertussis Immunization

“…A combined preparation containing pertussis vaccine, diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid will immunize infants against all these diseases; as one might expect, however, the responses of infants younger than three months to the diphtheria component are modified considerably by the presence of maternal antibodies (di Sant'Agnese 1949; Peterson and Christie 1951). When immunization with triple antigen is begun at the age of three months, satisfactory responses are obtained to all three components (Greenberg and Fleming 1950; Greenberg and Benoit 1956, with an adsorbed vaccine; Butler and Ungar 1960, with a plain vaccine) (Table III). Indeed, there is laboratory and clinical evidence to show that the presence of pertussis vaccine in triple antigen has a potentiating effect on both the diphtheria and the tetanus toxoids.…”

Clinical Investigations

“…The inherited antibodies of the newborn are known t o be eliminated during the first months of life, the 'half-lifetime' for diphtheria and Rh-antibodies being about 30 days (9,112). During this period, the passively acquired antibodies are considered one of the causes of the feeble or delayed antibody formation which, however, is not as highly impaired as was thought formerly (108,33,50). The elimination is followed by a period of scanty or negative immune reactions, which lasts from about the third month to the commencement of active antibody formation.…”

Colostrum-acquired immunity and active antibody production in baby pigs

“…The differences between 2 to 4 months and those 6 months of age were not statistically significant. Greenberg and Fleming (1950) studied the effect of inherited antibodies on the active immunization of infants.…”