• Assess IgG antibodies to pneumococcus pre- and post-pneumococcal immunization in healthy controls [ Time Frame: 4-6 wks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Analysis of B cell subsets in blood of healthy controls pre-and post-pneumococcal immunization to identify changes in memory B cell, class switched and activated B cells. [ Time Frame: 4-6 wks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

The ability to respond to a polysaccharide vaccine antigen is an integral part of evaluating a patient with immunodeficiency [1]. The pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax ®) remains the only readily available and the most widely used unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine [2]. Although the pneumococcal vaccine is widely used test the immune systems response to a polysaccharide antigen, no clear guidelines or studies exist to what is considered a proper response to the Pneumovax ®. IgM memory B cells are thought to play an important role in protection against pneumococcal disease. It is not known to what extent the ability of B cells to be activated in response to pneumococcal vaccination contributes to protective immunity. To address these issues, the following two specific aims are proposed:

Specific Aim 1. Assess IgG antibodies to pneumococcus pre- and post-pneumococcal immunization in healthy controls Specific Aim 2. Analysis of B cell subsets in blood of healthy controls pre-and post-pneumococcal immunization to identify changes in memory B cell, class switched and activated B cells.