THE ANTIBODY RESPONSE TO BACTERIOPHAGE ϕX 174 IN NEWBORN PREMATURE INFANTS*

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Abstract
Premature newborn infants and older children show a similar antibody response to injection of minute amounts of bacteriophage [theta]X 174 as judged by the following criteria. 1) Easily detectable neutralizing antibody is produced during the first week; 2) the titer rises for an additional 2 to 3 weeks; 3) an efficient secondary antibody response can be achieved by reimmunization 6 weeks later; 4) a change occurs in the molecular species of antibody, from 19S to 7S sedimentation constant 2 to 6 weeks after immunization. These observations taken together with past studies demonstrating newborn incompetency toward other antigens, have led to the suggestion that the maturation of the immune mechanism may occur in 2 or more steps.