Type-Specific Antibodies to Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide Acquired either Naturally or after Vaccination with Prevenar in Children with Underlying Chronic or Recurrent Lung Diseases

ABSTRACT The antibody response to capsular polysaccharides of pneumococcal serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F elicited either naturally or after vaccination with Prevenar was investigated in a cohort of children ( n = 163) with underlying chronic or recurrent lung diseases at risk of developing pneumococcal pneumonia and ultimately invasive disease. Serum concentrations of serotype-specific antibodies, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in unvaccinated children ( n = 88) were higher in nasopharyngeal carriers ( n = 10) than in noncarriers ( n = 78) both at baseline and during follow-up. However, the antibody levels depended on the serotype and age of the children. Dur…