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Preterm Immune System Development and Response to Immunization

Recruiting
Conditions
Preterm
Vaccination Failure
Immune System Disorder
Registration Number
NCT05266664
Lead Sponsor
Maastricht University Medical Center
Brief Summary

In this study the response to vaccination and development of the immune system in very preterm infants upon the current vaccination schedule will be compared to healthy term infants.

Detailed Description

Preterm infants are at increased risk of developing infections early in life due to a less mature immune system compared to full-term infants. Moreover, protection by the placental transfer of maternal antibodies in general and specifically against vaccine antigens has shown to be significantly lower in very preterm infants (gestational age (GA)\< 32 weeks) compared to term infants. In this study we aim to investigate the immune system development of very preterm infants. Adequate immune response to vaccination is considered both clinically important as well as a functional test of the immune system. However, data on the antibody and Ag-specific memory B cell response to vaccination in preterm infants are limited.

Primary objective is to study the antibody immune response to routine vaccinations in very preterm infants (GA\<32 weeks). Secondary aim is to study the immune system more extensively using flow cytometry, ELISA and single cell transcriptomics to measure development of Ag-specific memory B cells raised in response to vaccination, and by using proteomics, epigenetics, and microbiome studies.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
145
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria
  • Parents/guardians of the infant are not able or willing to provide informed consent
  • Infant with congenital anomaly which are more likely to cause adverse effects after immunization (for example hemodynamically significant congenital heart defect)
  • Infant with a (possible) HIV infection or immunodeficiency
  • Maternal use of immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
antibody immune response to routine vaccinations in very preterm infants6 months

IgG antibody concentrations against six vaccine antigens in preterm-born infants following primary series of routine vaccinations with Vaxelis in order to assess the proportion of children with IgG concentrations above international-defined thresholds for protection.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
IgG antibody concentrations following routine vaccinations with 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine after primary series and booster vaccination.6 and 12 months

IgG antibody concentrations against vaccine antigens in preterm-born infants following routine vaccinations with 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine after primary series and booster vaccination.

IgG antibody concentrations against pertussis antigens at 2 months of age in preterm-born infants after maternal Tdap vaccination and in infants whose mother did not receive maternal Tdap vaccination.2 months

IgG antibody concentrations against pertussis antigens at 2 months of age (before start of infant immunizations) in preterm-born infants after maternal Tdap vaccination and in infants whose mother did not receive maternal Tdap vaccination.

comparison of response to vaccination between preterm infants and healthy term infants6 and 12 months

Proportions of infants with IgG concentrations above the internationally defined threshold for protection and geometrical mean concentrations will be compared between preterm infants after maternal Tdap vaccination, preterm infants whose mothers did not receive Tdap vaccination and reference values in healthy term infants as known from literature.

IgG antibody concentrations in relation to maternal antibody concentrations against vaccine antigensbirth, 2,6 and 12 months

IgG antibody concentrations against vaccine antigens in preterm-born infants before start of immunizations and following routine vaccinations after primary series and booster vaccination, in relation to maternal antibody concentrations against vaccine antigens

IgG antibody concentrations following booster of routine vaccination with Vaxelis12 months

IgG antibody concentrations against vaccine antigens in preterm-born infants following booster of routine vaccination with Vaxelis.

geometrical mean concentrations following primary series and booster of routine vaccination with Vaxelis.6 and 12 months

geometrical mean concentrations in preterm infants compared to reference values in healthy term infants as known from literature following primary series and booster of routine vaccination with Vaxelis.

number of antigen-specific memory B cells in cells/microliter following routine vaccinations after primary series and booster vaccination6 and 12 months

number of antigen-specific memory B cells in cells/microliter in preterm-born infants following routine vaccinations after primary series and booster vaccination

Comparison of number of antigen-specific memory B cells in cells/microliter with and without preceding maternal Tdap vaccination6 and 12 months

Number of antigen-specific memory B cells in cells/microliter will be compared between preterm infants after maternal Tdap vaccination, preterm infants whose mothers did not receive Tdap vaccination and healthy term infants after maternal Tdap vaccination, who will be recruited for this study.

Trial Locations

Locations (7)

Erasmus MC

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Albert Schweitzer Hospital

🇳🇱

Dordrecht, Netherlands

reinier de Graaff Group

🇳🇱

Delft, Netherlands

Franciscus Gasthuis

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Maxima Medical Center

🇳🇱

Veldhoven, Netherlands

Amphia Hospital

🇳🇱

Breda, Netherlands

Maasstad Hospital

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

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