PLASMA ANTI-PNEUMOCOCCAL ANTIBODY-ACTIVITY OF THE IGG CLASS AND SUBCLASSES IN OTITIS PRONE CHILDREN

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 56  (2) , 233-238
Abstract
Plasma anti-pneumococcal polysaccharide antibody activity (serotypes 3, 6a and 23) was determined in samples from 15 otitis prone children, at 30 mo. of age, and compared with age matched control children and adults. A recently developed enzyme immunoassay, using IgG subclass specific monoclonal antibodies for analysis of pneumococcal antibody of different IgG subclasses was employed. Adult sera always contained the highest antibody concentrations, almost exlcusively of the IgG2 subclass. Children had higher amounts of IgG1, significantly exceeding those of the adults, healthy children having higher IgG1, as well as IgG2 values than otitis prone children. The most significant differences were seen with type 6a, less so with type 23 antibodies. No differences in IgG1 anti-type 3 pneumococcal activity were observed between the children and the adults. Pneumococcal antibody activity is apparently confined to IgG2 and sera from children contain antibodies of both IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses.