PLoS One
[Accessed 17 May 2014]
http://www.plosone.org/

A Randomized Trial of an Early Measles Vaccine at 4½ Months of Age in Guinea-Bissau: Sex-Differential Immunological Effects
Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen, Mia Søndergaard, Andreas Andersen, Erliyani Sartono, Cesario Martins, May-Lill Garly, Jesper Eugen-Olsen, Henrik Ullum, Maria Yazdanbakhsh, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn, Christian Erikstrup
Research Article | published 16 May 2014 | PLOS ONE 10.1371/journal.pone.0097536
Abstract
Background
After measles vaccine (MV), all-cause mortality is reduced more than can be explained by the prevention of measles, especially in females.
Objective
We aimed to study the biological mechanisms underlying the observed non-specific and sex-differential effects of MV on mortality.
Methods
Within a large randomised trial of MV at 4.5 months of age blood samples were obtained before and six weeks after randomisation to early MV or no early MV. We measured concentrations of cytokines and soluble receptors from plasma (interleukin-1 receptor agonist (IL-1Ra), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor), and secreted cytokines (interferon-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17) after in vitro challenge with innate agonists and recall antigens. We analysed the effect of MV in multiple imputation regression, overall and stratified by sex. The majority of the infants had previously been enrolled in a randomised trial of neonatal vitamin A. Post hoc we explored the potential effect modification by neonatal vitamin A.
Results
Overall, MV versus no MV was associated with higher plasma MCP-1 levels, but the effect was only significant among females. Additionally, MV was associated with increased plasma IL-1Ra. MV had significantly positive effects on plasma IL-1Ra and IL-8 levels in females, but not in males. These effects were strongest in vitamin A supplemented infants. Vitamin A shifted the effect of MV in a pro-inflammatory direction.
Conclusions
In this explorative study we found indications of sex-differential effects of MV on several of the plasma biomarkers investigated; in particular MV increased levels in females, most strongly in vitamin A recipients. The findings support that sex and micronutrient supplementation should be taken into account when analysing vaccine effects.
Trial Registration
clinicaltrials.gov number NCT 00168545

The Effects of School Closures on Influenza Outbreaks and Pandemics: Systematic Review of Simulation Studies
Charlotte Jackson, Punam Mangtani, Jeremy Hawker, Babatunde Olowokure, Emilia Vynnycky Research Article | published 15 May 2014 | PLOS ONE 10.1371/journal.pone.0097297

Women Have a Preference for Their Male Partner to Be HPV Vaccinated
Diane Medved Harper, Natalie Marya Alexander, Debra Ann Ahern, Johanna Claire Comes, Melissa Smith Smith, Melinda Ann Heutinck, Sandra Martin Handley
Research Article | published 14 May 2014 | PLOS ONE 10.1371/journal.pone.0097119