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Title: Serum Perfluoroalkyl Substances, Vaccine Responses, and Morbidity in a Cohort of Guinea-Bissau Children.

Authors: Timmermann, Clara Amalie Gade; Jensen, Kristoffer Jarlov; Nielsen, Flemming; Budtz-Jørgensen, Esben; van der Klis, Fiona; Benn, Christine Stabell; Grandjean, Philippe; Fisker, Ane Bærent

Published In Environ Health Perspect, (2020 08)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of widely used persistent chemicals with suspected immunotoxic effects. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the association between infant PFAS exposure and antibody responses to measles vaccination as well as morbidity in a low-income country. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, children from Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, were followed from inclusion (4-7 months of age) through 2 years of age. Half the children received two measles vaccinations (at inclusion and at 9 months of age), and the other half received only one (at 9 months of age). In a subset of 237 children, six PFAS were quantified in serum at inclusion, and measles antibody concentrations were assessed at inclusion and at approximately 9 months and 2 years of age. At inclusion and at the 9-month visit, mothers were interviewed about infant morbidity. RESULTS: All but one child had detectable serum concentrations of all six PFAS, although levels were lower than seen elsewhere. A doubling in perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were associated with 21% (95% CI: 2, 37%) and 25% (95% CI: 1, 43%), respectively, lower measles antibody concentrations at the 9-month visit among the children who had received a measles vaccine at inclusion. Elevated serum PFAS concentrations were also associated with reduced prevaccination measles antibody concentrations and increased morbidity. DISCUSSION: The present study documents that PFAS exposure has reached West Africa and that infants show PFAS-associated increases in morbidity and decreases in measles-specific antibody concentrations before and after vaccination. These findings support the evidence on PFAS immunotoxicity at comparatively low serum concentrations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6517.

PubMed ID: 32772733 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Antibodies, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Fluorocarbons/blood*; Guinea-Bissau; Humans; Infant; Male; Vaccination; Vaccines

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