Impaired antibody response to conjugated meningococcal serogroup C vaccine in asplenic patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the quantity and quality of antibodies against the meningococcal serogroup C (MenC) conjugated vaccine in asplenic patients. In 116 asplenic patients, antibody concentrations (IgG) were measured against meningococcal serogroup C before and after immunisation. Of MenC-specific IgG, both antibody avidity and subclasses of IgG1 and IgG2 were determined. The mean MenC IgG concentration rose from 0.16 μg/mL prior to vaccination to 3.69 μg/mL 3 weeks post-vaccination, with 67% of patients reaching the threshold of ≥ 2.0 μg/mL. The mean IgG concentration at 35 weeks post-vaccination was 3.10 μg/mL. IgG2 concentrations increased more than IgG1. Marginal avidity maturation was seen. Hypo-responders to the first MenC vaccine (IgG anti-MenC ≤ 2.0 μg/mL) were offered a booster dose. After revaccination, 59% reached the chosen IgG threshold. The IgG concentration rose from 0.29 to 1.12 μg/mL, with an increase in the IgG1/IgG2 ratio. Avidity indices remained below 33%. In asplenic patients, the quantity and quality of antibodies produced after one dose of conjugated MenC vaccination is lower than that observed in previous studies in healthy adults. Booster vaccination does, indeed, lead to a rise in IgG geometric mean concentrations (GMCs), but does not lead to higher avidity of antibodies.