Antibody in Breastmilk Following Pertussis Vaccination in Three-time Windows in Pregnancy.

Background: Pertussis-containing vaccines are routinely offered in the UK at 16-32 weeks of gestation and have been shown to be safe and effective, but there remains debate about the best timing for vaccination. Most research into this has focused on serologic immunity, but breastmilk is also important in infant immunity, and the amount of IgA in breastmilk may impact mucosal immunity. It is important to understand if the timing of vaccination in pregnancy affects the concentration of IgA in breastmilk.

Impact of HIV Status on Group B Streptococcus Colonization and Antibody Responses in Serum and Vaginal Mucosa.

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a commensal bacterium of the digestive and genital tracts that can occasionally cause maternal and neonatal disease. GBS is particularly a burden in low-resource settings, where infections with HIV are also highly prevalent. This study investigates the impact of HIV status on GBS colonization and antibody levels.

Maternal and Placental Antibody Responses in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Natural Infection During Pregnancy.

Background: As COVID-19 becomes endemic, understanding antibody response and transfer during pregnancy is crucial to inform policy and vaccination schedules. While good immunogenicity has been shown from SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, few data are available demonstrating functional responses in pregnant populations and infants.

Methods: A prospective, multi-site observational study was completed across 14 centers in England from April 23, 2020, to December 21, 2022.