Serum Concentrations of Antibodies Against Vaccine Toxoids in Children Exposed Perinatally to Immunotoxicants
free full text here :
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1001975
Previous research found an association between decreased antibody response to diphtheria and tetanus toxoid in children and early postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In a follow-up study, Heilman et al. (p. 1434) used a cohort formed in the Faroe Islands during 1999?2001 to assess serum antibody concentrations in children at 5 years (before and after a booster vaccination) and at 7 years of age. Total PCB concentrations were measured in serum from the children (at 5 and 7 years and in a subset at 18 months) and in maternal serum during pregnancy and postpartum milk samples. At the 5-year age point, before the booster vaccination, antidiphtheria antibody concentrations were inversely associated with PCB concentrations in milk and serum PCBs at 18 months of age. Results also suggested that concentrations of antibodies against both diptheria and tetanus toxoids at age 7 years were inversely associated with PCB concentrations at age 18 months. Mercury exposure parameters showed variable associations with the antibody concentrations with no clear pattern. The authors conclude that developmental PCB exposure is associated with immunotoxic effects that may alter the effectiveness of diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations.
Abstract Top
Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may cause immunotoxic effects, but the detailed dose?response relationship and possible vulnerable time windows of exposure are uncertain. In this study we applied serum concentrations of specific antibodies against childhood vaccines as sentinels of immunotoxicity.
Objectives: The main objective was to assess the possible dependence of antibody concentrations against diphtheria and tetanus toxoids in children with regard to prenatal and postnatal PCB exposures.
Methods: From a cohort of 656 singleton births formed in the Faroe Islands during 1999?2001, children were invited for examination with assessment of serum antibody concentrations at 5 years (before and after a booster vaccination) and at 7 years of age. Total PCB concentrations were determined in serum from ages 5 and 7 years, and data were also available on PCB concentrations in maternal pregnancy serum, maternal milk, and, for a subgroup, the child?s serum at 18 months of age.
Results: A total of 587 children participated in the examinations at ages 5 and/or 7 years. At age 5 years, before the booster vaccination, the antidiphtheria antibody concentration was inversely associated with PCB concentrations in milk and 18-month serum. Results obtained 2 years later showed an inverse association of concentrations of antibodies against both toxoids with PCB concentrations at 18 months of age. The strongest associations suggested a decrease in the antibody concentration by about 20% for each doubling in PCB exposure. At age 5 years, the odds of an antidiphtheria antibody concentration below a clinically protective level of 0.1 IU/L increased by about 30% for a doubling in PCB in milk and 18-month serum.
Conclusions: Developmental PCB exposure is associated with immunotoxic effects on serum concentrations of specific antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations. The immune system development during the first years of life appears to be particularly vulnerable to this exposure.
free full text here :
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1001975
Previous research found an association between decreased antibody response to diphtheria and tetanus toxoid in children and early postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In a follow-up study, Heilman et al. (p. 1434) used a cohort formed in the Faroe Islands during 1999?2001 to assess serum antibody concentrations in children at 5 years (before and after a booster vaccination) and at 7 years of age. Total PCB concentrations were measured in serum from the children (at 5 and 7 years and in a subset at 18 months) and in maternal serum during pregnancy and postpartum milk samples. At the 5-year age point, before the booster vaccination, antidiphtheria antibody concentrations were inversely associated with PCB concentrations in milk and serum PCBs at 18 months of age. Results also suggested that concentrations of antibodies against both diptheria and tetanus toxoids at age 7 years were inversely associated with PCB concentrations at age 18 months. Mercury exposure parameters showed variable associations with the antibody concentrations with no clear pattern. The authors conclude that developmental PCB exposure is associated with immunotoxic effects that may alter the effectiveness of diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations.
Abstract Top
Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may cause immunotoxic effects, but the detailed dose?response relationship and possible vulnerable time windows of exposure are uncertain. In this study we applied serum concentrations of specific antibodies against childhood vaccines as sentinels of immunotoxicity.
Objectives: The main objective was to assess the possible dependence of antibody concentrations against diphtheria and tetanus toxoids in children with regard to prenatal and postnatal PCB exposures.
Methods: From a cohort of 656 singleton births formed in the Faroe Islands during 1999?2001, children were invited for examination with assessment of serum antibody concentrations at 5 years (before and after a booster vaccination) and at 7 years of age. Total PCB concentrations were determined in serum from ages 5 and 7 years, and data were also available on PCB concentrations in maternal pregnancy serum, maternal milk, and, for a subgroup, the child?s serum at 18 months of age.
Results: A total of 587 children participated in the examinations at ages 5 and/or 7 years. At age 5 years, before the booster vaccination, the antidiphtheria antibody concentration was inversely associated with PCB concentrations in milk and 18-month serum. Results obtained 2 years later showed an inverse association of concentrations of antibodies against both toxoids with PCB concentrations at 18 months of age. The strongest associations suggested a decrease in the antibody concentration by about 20% for each doubling in PCB exposure. At age 5 years, the odds of an antidiphtheria antibody concentration below a clinically protective level of 0.1 IU/L increased by about 30% for a doubling in PCB in milk and 18-month serum.
Conclusions: Developmental PCB exposure is associated with immunotoxic effects on serum concentrations of specific antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations. The immune system development during the first years of life appears to be particularly vulnerable to this exposure.