What question did this study set out to answer?

To measure the lifespan of human humoral immunity across diverse viral and nonreplicating antigens and determine whether peripheral memory B-cell frequency directly correlates with circulating antibody levels over time.

November 7, 2007New England Journal of MedicineOpen Access

Duration of Humoral Immunity to Common Viral and Vaccine Antigens

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To measure the lifespan of human humoral immunity across diverse viral and nonreplicating antigens and determine whether peripheral memory B-cell frequency directly correlates with circulating antibody levels over time.
Tracked serum antibody titers against six viral antigens (vaccinia, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus) and two nonreplicating vaccine antigens (tetanus, diphtheria) in N=45 individuals followed longitudinally for up to 26 years.
Quantified circulating antigen-specific memory B cells using limiting-dilution analysis to assess correlation with serum antibody levels.
Antiviral antibody responses remained stable with estimated half-lives ranging from 50 years for varicella-zoster virus to greater than 200 years for measles and mumps.
Antibodies targeting nonreplicating bacterial antigens waned substantially faster, demonstrating estimated half-lives of 11 years for tetanus and 19 years for diphtheria.
Peripheral antigen-specific memory B-cell frequencies did not significantly correlate with serum antibody concentrations for five of the eight antigens evaluated.

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Implication

Longitudinal study reveals lifelong antiviral antibodies but faster-waning bacterial immunity in humans, suggesting independent regulation of memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells.

Cite This Study

Amanna et al. (2007) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a002dae6018b8d0892dad67 https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa066092

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Implication

Longitudinal study reveals lifelong antiviral antibodies but faster-waning bacterial immunity in humans, suggesting independent regulation of memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells.

Duration of Humoral Immunity to Common Viral and Vaccine Antigens

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Duration of Humoral Immunity to Common Viral and Vaccine Antigens

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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