Maternal antibody against influenza neuraminidase in newborns: abridged secondary publication
RAPM Perera, SSS Chiu, RSL Au Yeung, JSM Peiris
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Infants whose mothers had a history of vaccination have a significantly higher maternal antibodies (MatNAb) titres to both group 1 and group 2 influenza viruses.
- Infants whose mothers had a history of vaccination have significantly lower influenza infection than those whose mothers did not.
- Lower birth weight is associated with lower MatNAb titres for N1 responses but not for N2 responses. When the birth weight is <2 kg, the MatNAb titres tend to be lower. Infected infants have significantly lower titres of N1 seasonal influenza.
- The MatNAb titres can reduce the relative risk of influenza infection and is correlated with reduction in infection than haemagglutinin inhibition titres. When the MatNAb titre is ≥160, >50% relative risk reduction from infection is achieved.
- Influenza vaccination in pregnant mothers can boost MatNAb titres in infants and reduce the risk of influenza infection. Therefore, inclusion of neuraminidase in influenza vaccines is beneficial.