Repertoire of Naturally Acquired Maternal Antibodies Transferred to Infants for Protection Against Shigellosis.

ABSTRACT: Shigella is the second leading cause of diarrheal diseases, accounting for >200,000 infections and >50,000 deaths in children under 5 years of age annually worldwide. The incidence of Shigella-induced diarrhea is relatively low during the first year of life and increases substantially, reaching its peak between 11 to 24 months of age. This epidemiological trend hints at an early protective immunity of maternal origin and an increase in disease incidence when maternally acquired immunity wanes. The magnitude, type, antigenic diversity, and antimicrobial activity of maternal antibodies transferred via placenta that can prevent shigellosis during early infancy are not known. To address this knowledge gap, Shigella-specific antibodies directed against the lipopolysa

SUBMITTER: Ndungo E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8554191 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature