Avidity maturation following immunization with two human cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccines: a live attenuated vaccine (Towne) and a recombinant glycoprotein vaccine (gB/MF59).

Two human cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccines have been previously evaluated for their immunogenicity: a recombinant gB/MF59 vaccine and an attenuated strain of CMV (Towne). In healthy adults, we measured the antibody avidity maturation indices that occurred after vaccination with each. For Towne, administered as a single dose, the rise in IgG antibody avidity to CMV glycoprotein gB occurred slowly and continued for 24 months post-immunization. For gB/MF59, administered as two priming doses and a booster dose given at 6 months, the booster rapidly induced IgG antibodies to gB whose avidity was maximal at 7 months after the initial priming dose. Both vaccines induced antibody levels and avidity maturation indices that equaled those induced by wild-type virus suggesting that both vaccines may be effective in controlling CMV infections.