Contrasting adult and infant immune responses to HIV infection and vaccination

DR Martinez, SR Permar, GG Fouda - Clinical and Vaccine …, 2016 - Am Soc Microbiol
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 2016Am Soc Microbiol
Extensive studies have demonstrated that infant immune responses are distinct from those
of adults. Despite these differences, infant immunization can elicit protective immune
responses at levels comparable to or, in some cases, higher than adult immune responses
to many vaccines. To date, only a few HIV vaccine candidates have been tested in infant
populations, and none of them evaluated vaccine efficacy. Recent exciting studies showing
that HIV-infected infants can develop broad neutralizing antibody responses and that some …
Abstract
Extensive studies have demonstrated that infant immune responses are distinct from those of adults. Despite these differences, infant immunization can elicit protective immune responses at levels comparable to or, in some cases, higher than adult immune responses to many vaccines. To date, only a few HIV vaccine candidates have been tested in infant populations, and none of them evaluated vaccine efficacy. Recent exciting studies showing that HIV-infected infants can develop broad neutralizing antibody responses and that some HIV vaccine regimens can elicit high levels of potentially protective antibodies in infants provide support for the development and testing of HIV vaccines in pediatric populations. In this review, we discuss the differences in adult and infant immune responses in the setting of HIV infection and vaccination.
American Society for Microbiology