Ongoing research
Our research on vaccine preventable diseases and pregnancy includes a range of themes, such as experiments describing the presence and persistence of maternal passively acquired antibodies in young infants. Other studies investigate the effect of a high amount of maternal antibodies (sometimes following vaccination during pregnancy) on the infant immune responses to the vaccines they receive in early life. Additional fields of interest and research are cellular immune responses in pregnant women following vaccination and the effect of vaccinating during pregnancy on the composition of breastmilk and protection offered by breastfeeding.
Current research projects are:
Pertussis immunization during pregnancy: assesment of the role of maternal antibodies on immune responses in term and preterm infants: the MAMA study.
Abstract:
The study aims to give an answer on the lack of knowledge on immune responses in young infants (term and preterm born) to pertussis vaccines in the presence of high titers of maternal antibodies, induced by vaccination during pregnancy.
- Principal investigator: Van Damme Pierre
- Co-principal investigator: Leuridan Elke
- Co-principal investigator: Mahieu Ludo
Funding:
FWO
Period:
01/01/2015 - 31/12/2018
Vaccine responses in infants after acellular pertussis vaccination during pregnancy in Thailand.
Abstract
This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the client. UA provides the client research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.
- Principal investigator: Leuridan Elke
Funding:
Private
Period:
01/04/2015-31/03/2018
Assessment of pneumococcal immune response in infants whose mothers received Tdap vaccination during pregnancy
Abstract:
Blunting of infant immune responses to pneumococcal vaccines has been described after maternal pertussis vaccination. An ongoing prospective controlled clinical trial (clintrial.gov ID NCT01698346) at the University of Antwerp on pertussis vaccination during pregnancy, offers the opportunity to add evidence for this possible blunting effect by measuring pneumococcal antibodies in serum samples taken from infants after a primary series of 2 pneumococcal vaccine doses (2 and 4 months of age) and after a third vaccine dose (at 12 months of age). Infants are born from either vaccinated or unvaccinated mothers. The university of Antwerp will coordinate the project and the pneumococcal antibodies will be measured at the University College London, a reference laboratory of the World Health Organisation.
- Principal investigator: Leuridan Elke
Funding:
private
Period:
24/11/2015 - 31/12/2016
The effect of pertussis vaccination during pregnancy.
Abstract:
The present project aims to investigate the immunological effects of maternal pertussis vaccination during pregnancy in both women and infants in order to provide scientific evidence for the beneficial protective effect of maternal vaccination in both woman and infant. This will be conducted in 2 countries with different epidemiological conditions and vaccines (Belgium & Vietnam).
- Principal investigator: Van Damme Pierre
- Fellow: Leuridan Elke
Funding:
FWO
Period:
01/10/2013-30/11/2016
Assesment of the Neonatal hepatitis B vaccination Caoverage & Attitude in the Mekong delta (ANBeCAM)
Abstract:
The current ANBeCAM project envisages to set up a new partnership between Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharamacy (Vietnam) and UAntwerpen to assess the neonatal hepatititis B vaccine coverage in the region and identify possible solutions to increase the coverage.
- Principal investigator: Van Damme Pierre
- Co-principal investigator: Leuridan Elke
Funding:
FED. INST.
Period:
01/09/2014-31/08/2016
Gastroenteritis in rotavirus vaccinated infants in Belgium and Vietnam: the effect of maternal antibodies through breastfeeding and the identification of (new) pathogens
Abstract:
The effectiveness of the available rotavirus vaccines is much lower in developing countries and in countries in transition compared to industrialized countries. A possible explanation could be found in the fact that breast milk of women living in these countries contains more antibodies against rotaviruses. These antibodies can have a negative influence on the mechanism of action of the vaccines. With this study we aim to examine whether we can observe a difference between children that are breastfed at the timepoint of vaccination, compared to children that receive formula feeding. Additionally, we will examine whether the interval between breastfeeding and vaccination plays a role. Besides measurement of the immune response among the vaccinated children, we will register the occurrence of GE infections during a period of 6 months after the administration of the first dose of rotavirus vaccine to the infants. Should the child suffer from symptoms of GE, a stool sample will be examined. This will allow us to document the different causative agents of GE and to expand the current available gamut of diagnostical testings.
- Principal Investigator: Pierre Van Damme- Nguyen Van Trang, Jelle Matthijnssens
- Project coordinator: Tessa Braeckman
- Study nurse: Aline Bontenakel
Funding:
September 2014-december 2016
Sponsor:
FWO-NAFOSTED