Anti-rotavirus G type-specific and isotype-specific antibodies in children with natural rotavirus infections

J Infect Dis. 1994 Mar;169(3):504-11. doi: 10.1093/infdis/169.3.504.

Abstract

Serum VP7 (G) type- and isotype-specific anti-rotavirus antibodies were assessed among children monitored longitudinally over one or two rotavirus seasons in day care centers. Seventy-five pairs of blood specimens from 63 children were tested for anti-rotavirus antibodies. Stool specimens were collected weekly and tested for rotavirus antigen. G typing of detected rotaviruses showed that seven outbreaks of G1 and one of G3 occurred during the two seasons. G type-specific responses to the outbreak strain occurred among 79% of infected children and 9% of children with infection not detected (P < .001). Of children infected with G1, 54% had a heterotypic response; they were older (P = .048) and had higher preexisting G1 antibody levels than children who had only homotypic responses (P = .012). Higher IgA, IgG, and homotypic antibody levels to the antigenic site C of the G1 and G3 VP7s correlated with protection against infection and illness, homotypic antibody independently of IgA or IgG titers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Child Day Care Centers
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Rotavirus / classification
  • Rotavirus / immunology
  • Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Rotavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Serotyping
  • Texas / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes