IgG1, IgG2 and IgM responses to two Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines in young infants

PRP-meningococcal outer membrane protein complex (PRP-OMPC) and oligosaccharide linked to variant diphtheria toxin (HbOC) Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) conjugate vaccines have both been licensed for United States infants at 2 months of age. Differences in serologic responses for these vaccines have been noted with PRP-OMPC producing an early response at 2 months of age and HbOC producing a higher response after a third dose at 6 months of age. To further characterize the nature of these distinct responses, we measured the IgG1, IgG2 and IgM anti-HIB concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after administration of both vaccines. PRP-OMPC produced an IgM and IgG1 anti-HIB response following the initial dose at 2 months of age. After two doses of HbOC an increase in IgG1 and IgM were noted and after a third dose at 6 months of age an IgG2 anti-HIB response occurred. In addition 33 study subjects were boosted with PRP-OMPC at age 18 months and compared with 34 subjects who received only a primary dose. The anti-HIB IgG1 and IgG2 concentrations following the booster dose were both significantly higher for the primed group (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Both HIB conjugate vaccines produce predominantly IgG1 anti-HIB antibody responses. The early response to PRP-OMPC vaccine at 2 months of age may result from adjuvant characteristics of the OMPC.