Rotavirus vaccine is immunogenic, regardless of histo-blood group status

The G3P[6] rotavirus vaccine (RV3-BB) produced positive cumulative vaccine take irrespective of histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) status, according to data published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The association between HBGA and RV3-BB immunogenicity was investigated via a phase 2A study that included 46 individuals in New Zealand. The vaccine “produced positive cumulative vaccine take in 29 of 32 individuals (91%) who expressed a functional FUT2 enzyme (secretor group), 13 of 13 (100%) who were FUT2 null (nonsecretor group) and 1 of 1 with reduced FUT2 activity (weak secretor),” the study authors wrote. A similar finding was demonstrated in 37 of 40 participants, who expressed a functional FUT3 enzyme (Lewis-positive group), 3 of 3 who were FUT3 null (Lewis-negative group), 25 of 28 Lewis-positive secretors, 12 of 12 Lewis-positive nonsecretors, both Lewis-negative secretors, and the only Lewis-negative weak secretor. Of note, no participants who were Lewis-negative nonsecretors were included in the cohort, so...