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The Development of IgA‐Specific Antibodies to Escherichia coli O Antigen in Children
Author(s) -
GLEESON M.,
CRIPPS A. W.,
CLANCY R. L.,
WLODARCZYK J. H.,
DOBSON A. J.,
HENSLEY M. J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1987.tb02299.x
Subject(s) - antibody , antigen , escherichia coli , immune system , immunology , geometric mean , medicine , biology , genetics , mathematics , statistics , gene
One hundred and sixty‐five infants were studied longitudinally from birth to 5 years of age. One hundred and twenty‐three school‐age children and 27 adults were examined cross‐sectionally. Total salivary IgA levels and IgA antibodies against Escherichia coli O antigens were measured. Total IgA levels were low (<20 mg/l) from birth to 4 years of age. At 5 years of age there was a dramatic increase in the total IgA level (geometric mean = 100.7 mg/l), after which the levels fell to values similar to those observed in adults (adult geometric mean = 53.2 mg/l). Low levels of IgA‐specific E. coli antibodies were observed for the first 4 years of life (<1.0 ELISA units). There was a gradual increase in specific antibodies between 5 and 9 years of age (geometric men at 9 years=4.66 ELISA units) to levels similar to those observed in adults (adult geometric mean=8.20 ELISA units). It is suggested that the patterns of development for these variables reflect a balance between antigenic exposure and immune control mechanisms.