From the Guidelines
To check the immune response from a pneumococcal vaccine in a 10-year-old male, a blood test measuring pneumococcal antibody titers should be performed, typically 4-8 weeks after vaccination, as this allows for the assessment of the peak antibody response against pneumococcal serotypes contained in the vaccine, as supported by studies such as 1. The test specifically measures IgG antibodies against pneumococcal serotypes contained in the vaccine. The procedure involves a standard blood draw from a peripheral vein, collecting 3-5 mL of blood in a red-top or serum separator tube. The sample should be processed within 24 hours and sent to a laboratory for quantitative pneumococcal antibody testing. A protective response is generally considered to be an antibody concentration ≥1.3 μg/mL for most serotypes, as indicated in studies like 1. This testing is particularly important for children with suspected immunodeficiencies, recurrent infections, or those on immunosuppressive medications. The timing of the test is crucial as testing too early may miss the peak antibody response, while testing too late may not accurately reflect vaccine-specific immunity, as noted in 1 and 1. If inadequate response is found, the child may require additional pneumococcal vaccination or further immunological evaluation. Key considerations include:
- The use of opsonophagocytic assay (OPA) geometric mean titers for children aged 10–17 years, as compared with corresponding OPA titers achieved by children aged 6–9 years, as mentioned in 1.
- The safety and efficacy of PCV13 in children with immunocompromising conditions, as supported by studies such as 1 and 1.
- The importance of monitoring for adverse events, which are generally mild and include myalgia, fatigue, and headache, as reported in 1. Overall, the assessment of immune response to pneumococcal vaccine in a 10-year-old male involves a blood test to measure antibody titers, with consideration of the timing, methodology, and interpretation of results, as informed by the latest evidence from studies like 1, 1, 1, 1, and 1.
From the Research
Procedure to Check Immune Response
To check the immune response from pneumococcal vaccine in a 10-year-old male, the following steps can be considered:
- Measure IgG antibodies against pneumococcal polysaccharides, which are found predominantly within IgG subclass 2 2
- Evaluate total immunoglobulin levels and IgG subclasses, as well as pneumococcal antibody titers against specific serotypes 2
- Use assays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) assay to measure immune responses 3, 4
- Compare antibody levels before and after vaccination to assess the immune response 3, 5, 4
Factors Affecting Immune Response
Several factors can affect the immune response to pneumococcal vaccines, including:
- Age: Response rates may decrease with increasing age 5
- Sex: Male sex may be associated with lower aggregate responses 5
- Atopy: Atopy may be associated with lower aggregate responses 5
- IgG subclass deficiencies: Deficiencies in IgG subclasses, such as IgG2, may affect the immune response to pneumococcal vaccines 2, 5
Vaccine-Specific Considerations
Different pneumococcal vaccines may have varying effects on the immune response, including: