Open AccessAge‐dependent presence of antibodies in rat dams, capable of conferring protection against group B Streptococcus infection in neonates
Author(s) -
Moore Joanne C.,
Muckett Phillip J.,
Hughes Martin J.G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10791.x
Subject(s) - offspring , group b , streptococcus , streptococcus agalactiae , antibody , biology , group a , streptococcaceae , immunology , pregnancy , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , genetics , bacteria , antibiotics
A rat model was used to investigate maternal age‐dependent resistance on group B Streptococcus (GBS)‐induced mortality of the offspring. Offspring from young (first time) or older (repeat litters) dams were challenged with GBS. There was an approximate log difference in the dose of GBS required to cause identical levels of mortality in the two groups. The sera of the dams from both groups were analysed by whole‐cell ELISA, and it was demonstrated that sera from the older dams possessed circulating IgG cross‐reactive to GBS. Since IgG is transplacentally transferred, we conclude that this is the method of observed protection.