The mechanism of group differences in the character of the vaccinal process in immunization against natural smallpox.

The effect of antigenic polymorphism of the ABO-system blood groups on the character of the vaccinal process after immunization against natural smallpox was investigated. The increased susceptibility of persons possessing A antigen to the harmful effect of smallpox vaccine virus is due to hereditary rather than to acquired factors. The leukocytes of peripheral blood of these persons showed a poorer binding capacity with respect to the smallpoxvaccine virus; they also exhibited a high rate of chromosomal aberration after vaccination, resulting to some extent from increased proliferative ability of the cells.

[Connection between the group factors of the blood systems ABO, MNSs, and rhesus and peculiarities of the vaccination process in children immunized against smallpox]. / Sviaz' gruppovykh faktorov krovi sistemy ABO, MNSs, i rezus s osobennostiami vaktsinal'nogo protsessa u detei, immunizirovannykh protiv ospy

The ahthors present new data on the character of the vaccine process in children associated with the characteristics of the blood group ABO, MNSs and Rh systems. The greater frequency of occurrence and more manifest reactions were noted in children with blood groups A, B, AB, M and Rho (D) - in comparison with those having blood groups O, Rho (D) +, MN and N. There was a significant prevalence of chromosomal aberrations in the primarily immunized children with blood groups A in comparison with groups O, B and AB. The data obtained pointed to the negative effect of the mimi-rating antigens of the smallpox virus on the immunogenesis in smallpox. Search for methods of releasing the vaccine of these antigens is necessary for reduction of the reactogenic properties and increase of immunogenecity of the smallpox vaccines.