The assessment of Hantaan virus-specific antibody responses after the immunization program for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in northwest China

Abstract

ABSTRACT Xianyang city is one of the main hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) epidemic areas in northwest China. Although the HFRS immunity program has been provided in this city, HFRS is still occurred every year. In order to implement the vaccination program effectively and to control HFRS, the analysis of antibody responses specific to Hantaan virus (HTNV) in individuals after vaccination is essential. In this study, a total of 100 subjects were divided into 5 groups: unvaccinated, 1, 3, 29 and 33 months after boost vaccination. The levels and the positive rates of HTNV-NP-specific IgM and IgG antibodies as well as HTNV neutralizing antibodies were significantly increased in the serum of the vaccinated individuals. The positive rates and levels of HTNV-NP-specific IgG and HTNV neutralizing antibody reached their highest values at 3 months respectively and could be sustained up to 33 months after vaccination. Moreover, the titres of HTNV-NP-specific IgM or IgG antibody and the titres of HTNV neutralizing antibody at 1 month after vaccination have a positive correlation. The level of HTNV-NP-specific IgG antibody was much higher than that of HTNV-NP-specific IgM antibody or HTNV neutralizing antibody. In addition, the strongest responses of antibody-secreting cells were observed at 3 months after vaccination, which was consistent with the serum results. Therefore, the HFRS immunization program is effective to induce humoral immunity in the population of northwest China.