HLA and the rubella-specific immune response following vaccination.

A group of 88 seronegative 11-year-old Dutch girls was selected to be tested for human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and for both the in vivo and in vitro immune response to rubella virus, 6 and 12 weeks after rubella vaccination. Although a slight influence of HLA-associated factors on the antibody levels, as measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay could not be excluded, no evidence for HLA-associated control of the rubella-specific immune response following vaccination was obtained. From these data it is concluded that HLA-associated factors cannot be expected to hamper the effectiveness of large-scale rubella vaccination procedures.