Abstract
Sera from 33 newborn infants with gestational ages ranging from 27 to 41 weeks were tested by radioimmunoassay for IgG antibodies to surface antigens of group B streptococci (GBS) types Ia, Ib, II and III. Antibody levels to GBS antigens were positively correlated to gestational age and birthweight. However, only the correlations for anti-Ia and anti-II antibody levels reached statistical significance. Mean antibody concentrations in infants below 34 weeks of gestation were significantly lower for type Ia (P<0.001), type II (P<0.001) and type III (P=0.05) than in infants above this limit. These findings might explain the higher rate of serious GBS-infections found among prematures as compared to full-term infants.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson DC, Hughes BJ, Edwards MS, Buffone GJ, Baker CJ (1983) Impaired chemotaxigenesis by type III group B streptococci in neonatal sera: relationship to diminished concentration of specific anticapsular antibody and abnormalities of serum complement. Pediatr Res 17:496–502
Baker CJ (1980) Group B streptococcal infections. Adv Intern Med 25:475–501
Baker CJ, Kasper DL (1976) Correlation of maternal antibody deficiency with susceptibility to neonatal group B streptococcal infection. N Engl J Med 294:753–756
Baker CJ, Kasper DL (1977) Immunological investigation of infants with septicemia or meningitis due to group B Streptococcus. J Infect Dis 136 [Suppl] S98-S104
Barandun S, Kistler P, Jeunet F, Isliker H (1962) Intravenous administration of human γ-globulin. Vox Sang 7:157–174
Christensen KK, Christensen P, Dahlander K, Faxelius G, Jacobson B, Svenningsen N (1980) Quantitation of serum antibodies to surface antigens of group B streptococci types Ia, Ib and III: low antibody levels in mothers of neonatally infected infants. Scand J Infect Dis 12:105–110
Christensen KK, Christensen P, Duc G, Hitzig WH, Lindén V, Müller B, Seger RA (1984) Human IgG antibodies to carbohydrate and protein antigens in mouse protection tests with group B streptococci. Pediatr Res (in press)
Eickhoff TC, Klein JO, Daly AK, Ingall D, Finland M (1964) Neonatal sepsis and other infections due to group B beta-hemolytic streptococci. N Engl J Med 271:1221–1228
Franciosi RA, Knostman JD, Zimmerman RA (1973) Group B streptococcal neonatal and infant infections. J Pediatr 82:707–718
Gitlin D, Kumate J, Urrusti J, Morales C (1964) The selectivity of the human placenta in the transfer of plasma proteins from mother to fetus. J Clin Invest 43:1938–1951
Heming VG, Hall RT, Rhodes PG, Shigeoka AO, Hill HR (1976) Assessment of group B streptococcal opsonins in human and rabbit serum by neutrophil chemiluminescence. J Clin Invest 58:1379–1387
Hobbs JR, Davis JA (1967) Serum γG-globulin levels and gestational age in premature babies. Lancet I:757–759
Kohler PF, Farr RS (1966) Elevation of cord over maternal IgG immunoglobulin: Evidence for an active placental transport. Nature 210:1070–1071
Kronvall G, Williams RC Jr (1969) Differences in anti-protein A activity among IgG subgroups. J Immunol 103:828–833
Lancefield RC, McCarty M, Everly WN (1975) Multiple mouseprotective antibodies directed against group B streptococci. J Exp Med 142:165–179
Morell A, Skvaril F, Hitzig WH, Barandun S (1972) IgG subclasses: Development of the serum concentrations in “normal” infants and children. J Pediatr 80:960–964
Pilgrim U, Fontanellaz HP, Evers G, Hitzig WH (1975) Normal values of immunoglobulins in premature and in full-term infants, calculated as percentiles. Helv Paediatr Acta 30:121–134
Shigeoka AO, Santos JI, Hill HR (1979) Functional alysis of neutrophil granulocytes from healthy, infected and stressed neonates. J Pediatr 95:454–460
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Christensen, K.K., Christensen, P., Duc, G. et al. Correlation between serum antibody-levels against group B streptococci and gestational age in newborns. Eur J Pediatr 142, 86–88 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445584
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445584