SERUM AND COPROANTIBODY RESPONSES TO ROTAVIRUS INFECTION IN CHILDREN DURING THE 1ST 2 YEARS OF LIFE

The serum and coproantibody response (IgG and IgA) to naturally acquired rotavirus infections and reinfections m the first two years of life were studied in 13 cases and 12 control children using enzyme-immunoassay. A 100% IgG seroconversion and coproconversion occurred after tertiary and quaternary infections respectively. Unlike the IgA coproantibody response, serum IgG was detected more frequently after symptomatic (89%) than asymptomatic (50%) infections, and its duration and titre were boosted by reinfections. The durations of both responses was prolonged when reinfection occurred at 15 months versus 8 months. Both responses were observed after primary infection in the first two months of life. Higher instances of virus reinfections were detected serologically (72.5%) than virologically (27%). The results suggest that at least 3 doses of a rotavirus vaccine will be required before 4 months plus boosters around the 10th and 15th months. Further, during vaccine trials, virus infections should be monitored virologically and serologically.