The humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in lung transplant patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in lung transplant recipients.Antibody levels to the three viral antigens included in the 1999-2000 trivalent influenza vaccine (A/Sydney/5/97-like (H3N2), A/Beijing262/95-like (H1N1), and B/Yamanashi/16/ 98) were measured before and 4 weeks postvaccination in 43 lung transplant recipients and 21 healthy adult controls. The ability to develop protective antibody levels, a serological response, and the magnitude of change in levels were assessed.The humoral immune response to influenza vaccination was significantly lower in the transplant group for all three viral antigens. To A/Sydney, 95% of the control group and 40% of the transplant group developed protective levels (p=0.0009); to A/Beijing, 71% of the control group and 30% of the transplant group developed protective levels (p=0.004); and to B/Yamanashi, 48% of the control group and 19% of the transplant group developed protective levels (p=0.02). Those receiving cyclosporine had lower antibody responses when compared to those receiving tacrolimus (r=-0.3056, p=0.0463).The humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in lung transplant recipients is poor. Lung transplant recipients receiving cyclosporine may have a lower antibody response than those receiving tacrolimus. Alternative prevention strategies may be needed. Eur Respir J 2001; 18: 971-976.

Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses after Influenza Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Recipients

“…Furthermore, our data confirm and extend the results of the single study which analyzed postvaccinal HLA antibodies and showed that in heart transplant recipients no significant donor-specific allosensitization was induced by influenza vaccination (30). In our study, the use of a highly sensitive technique allowed us to identify a significant proportion of patients (22 (10,13,34,35 (12)(13)(14) as well as to other types of vaccine such as hepatitis B (37,38), presumably linked to immunosuppressive therapy (14)(15)(16)(17). They differ from other studies showing adequate humoral responses (7)(8)(9)(10)(11) (10,11,15,16 (17).…”

Influenza Vaccination in the Organ Transplant Recipient: Review and Summary Recommendations

“…Most studies have shown a reduction in vaccine response in patients treated with cyclosporine-based regimens when compared with tacrolimus or azathioprine (28,42,43). Another early study, however, found no association between vaccine responses and cyclosporine levels in pediatric liver recipients (44).…”

Guillain-Barré syndrome triggered by influenza vaccination in a recipient of liver transplant on FK506

“…Although humoral immune response to influenza vaccination was significantly lower in lung transplant patients on FK506, it was not totally abolished. 15 Influenza vaccination may trigger an autoimmune response with organ damage in immunosuppressed patients. 16 Molecular mimicry, nonspecific activation of the immune system, and genetic predisposition have been suggested to play an important role in the genesis of GBS after vaccination.…”