Genital antibody response to a parenteral gonococcal pilus vaccine

Infect Immun. 1982 Jun;36(3):1006-12. doi: 10.1128/iai.36.3.1006-1012.1982.

Abstract

A parenteral gonococcal pilus vaccine which has previously been shown to be safe and antigenic also results in the production of specific local genital antibody. All three major antibody classes were present in the local secretions, but immunoglobulin A predominated, a portion of which is dimeric 11S immunoglobulin A. This mucosal antibody is also capable of blocking the attachment of gonococci to epithelial cells. The antibody cross-reacted with five heterologous pili in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. These results are encouraging and suggest that a gonococcal pilus vaccine may be efficacious in preventing gonorrhea.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis*
  • Bacterial Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cross Reactions
  • Female
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Male
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / immunology*
  • Semen / immunology*
  • Vagina / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
  • Immunoglobulin G