Pneumococcal antibody responses in elite swimmers

摘要: The ability of elite swimmers to mount an antibody response the pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumovax 23, was assessed at end intensive 12-week training programme. Antibody titres six polysaccharide types were measured in 20 (10 male, 10 female) aged 17-23 years and 19 sedentary age- sex-matched students (eight 11 18-23 years. Blood samples tested 14 days apart assess magnitude changes serum immunoglobulin isotypes IgG subclasses. There no significant differences any responses between controls, gender effect, either before or after vaccination. clinically adequate vaccine greatest for serotype 4, which 97% total study population. correlations (i) scores swimmers' international performance ; (ii) infection rates controls (iii) psychological variables, by Profile Mood States (POMS) questionnaire controls. Swimmers had significantly lower concentrations IgG2 (P = 0.04) IgG3 0.002) increase all subclasses post-vaccination, suggesting a polyclonal that not observed control subjects. subclass vaccination greater compared with 1 0.04), IgG4 0.01). data indicated undertaking programme capable mounting antigens equivalent subjects, despite having prevaccination levels immunoglobulins.