Seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis antibodies in Flanders (Belgium)

Vaccine. 2003 Jun 2;21(19-20):2412-7. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(03)00062-8.

Abstract

To determine age-dependent pertussis immune response in the Flemish population, antibody levels to pertactin (PRN), pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) were measured in serum samples from 1622 healthy 1-100-year-old subjects. For anti-PRN and anti-PT antibodies, peaks in GMTs were seen in infancy and again in the 10-15-year age group. After age of 20 years, anti-PRN GMT declined rapidly over a decade, followed by a slower decline. Anti-FHA GMT tended to rather increase progressively with age. These data confirm waning of vaccine-induced antibody levels and suggest pertussis resurgence during adolescence and young adulthood. These results support a pertussis booster vaccination policy for adolescents and adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Whooping Cough / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial