Genetic variation influences the B-cell response to immunization with a pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.

CBA/J mice immunized with pneumococcal 23F-CRM(197) vaccine produce significantly lower titers of 23F-specific antibodies and fewer 23F-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) than did BALB/c or (CBA/J x BALB/c)F(1) (CCBAF(1)) mice. The reduced 23F-specific titers of CBA/J versus BALB/c or CCBAF(1) mice are presumably related to lower frequencies of 23F-specific ASC influenced by genetic variation.