Maternally derived antibodies against Bordetella pertussis antigens pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in preterm and full term newborns.

We measured IgG-anti-pertussis toxin and -IgG-anti-filamentous hemagglutinin antibody values in 43 full term and 34 preterm infants and 79 mothers. Antibody values were generally low and mean values were higher in full term than preterm infants. Transfer ratios increased with gestational age of the newborns.

Antibodies to pertussis antigens in pediatric health care workers.

Background: To compare the antibody concentrations against Bordetella antigens in health care workers in a pediatric hospital with those of two different populations without professional contact with children.

Methods: In a pediatric hospital 155 health care workers (135 female, 20 male), 292 male navy recruits after 3 months at sea and 146 regular blood donors (41 female, 105 male) were screened for antibodies of isotypes IgG and IgA to pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Pediatric health care workers were positive for IgG anti-PT in 88%, for IgA anti-PT in 52%, for IgG anti-FHA in 99% and for IgA anti-FRA in 84%.