Comparison of immunoglobulin G subclass profiles induced by measles virus in vaccinated and naturally infected individuals

Abstract

A total of 258 human sera positive for measles antibodies were divided into four different groups: group 1 contained 54 sera from children after natural measles infection (immunoglobulin M [IgM] positive, early infection phase), group 2 contained 28 sera from children after measles vaccination (IgM positive, early infection phase), group 3 contained 100 sera from healthy adults (natural long-lasting immunity), and group 4 contained 76 sera from healthy children (postvaccinal long-lasting immunity). In the early phase of infection, the percent distributions of measles virus-specific IgG isotypes were similar between natural and postvaccinal immune responses. IgG1 and IgG4 were the dominant isotypes, with mean levels of detection of 100% (natural infection) and 100% (postvaccinal) for IgG1 and 96% (natural infection) and 92% (postvaccinal) for IgG4. In comparison, the IgG4 geometric mean titer (GMT) in the early phase of natural infection was significantly higher than the IgG4 GMT detected in the postvaccinal immune response (80 versus 13; 95% confidence interval). In the memory phase, IgG2 and IgG3 responses decreased significantly in both natural infection and postvaccinal groups, while IgG1 levels were maintained. In contrast, the IgG4 postvaccinal immune response decreased strongly in the memory phase, whereas IgG4 natural long-lasting immunity remained unchanged (9 versus 86%; P < 0.05). The results obtained suggest that IgG4 isotype could be used in the early phase of infection as a quantitative marker and in long-lasting immunity as a qualitative marker to differentiate between natural and postvaccinal immune responses.

FIG. 1.

Qualitative profile of measles virus-specific IgG4 in the population studied. (Top) Serum samples were obtained 1 to 7 days after the onset of measles rash (acute 1), 8 to 30 days after the onset of measles rash (convalescence 2), and 8 to 30 years after measles infection (long-lasting 3). Immune responses shown are natural (black bars) and postvaccinal (stippled bars). (Bottom) Quantitative profile of measles IgG4 in the populations studied. Serum samples were obtained 6 to 10 days after the onset of rash.