Challenges for the Newborn Immune Response to Respiratory Virus Infection and Vaccination

The initial months of life reflect an extremely challenging time for newborns as a naïve immune system is bombarded with a large array of pathogens, commensals, and other foreign entities. In many instances, the immune response of young infants is dampened or altered, resulting in increased suscepti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kali F. Crofts, Martha A. Alexander-Miller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
Series:Vaccines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/4/558
Description
Summary:The initial months of life reflect an extremely challenging time for newborns as a naïve immune system is bombarded with a large array of pathogens, commensals, and other foreign entities. In many instances, the immune response of young infants is dampened or altered, resulting in increased susceptibility and disease following infection. This is the result of both qualitative and quantitative changes in the response of multiple cell types across the immune system. Here we provide a review of the challenges associated with the newborn response to respiratory viral pathogens as well as the hurdles and advances for vaccine-mediated protection.
ISSN:2076-393X