Immune Responses to pneumococcal vaccines in children and adults: Rationale for age-specific vaccination.

摘要: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant human pathogen and currently available pneumococcal vaccines are designed to elicit anti-capsule antibodies. The 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine has been used in older adults for many years whereas 7-, 10-, 13-valent conjugate have only commonly young children the last decade. In addition their high protective efficacy among children, use of had number additional effects, including production serotype shift providing new herd immunity adults. immunogenicity both these types can be determined by using an ELISA assay measure antibody levels or opsonophagocytosis assess opsonic function. As assays improved over time, awareness analytical limitations studies grown. While effective adults, it less elderly Aging-associated ineffectiveness may due aging-dependent changes repertoire and/or reduction IgM associated with B cell subpopulations. immunologic basis aging-associated immune defects thus remains active area research.