In vivo cell-mediated immunity and vaccination response following prolonged, intense exercise.
Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown increased frequency and severity of infections after intense, long-term exercise. This study examines whether an in vivo impairment of the cell-mediated immunity and antibody production can be demonstrated after intense, long-term exercise. Twenty-two male triathletes performed one-half an ironman (group A). Vaccinations with tetanus and diphtheritis toxoid and purified pneumococcal polysaccharide were given after the exercise. Furthermore, a skin test with seven different antigens was applied on the forearm. Antibody titers were measured before and 2 wk after the exercise. The skin test was read 48 h after the application. Eleven non-exercising triathletes (group B) and 22 moderately trained men (group C) were used as control groups. Group A revealed a significantly lower skin test response to the tetanus antigen than both groups B and C. In group A, a smaller cumulative response (sum of the diameters of indurations and number of positive skin test spots) was found than in both groups B and C. No differences in antibody titers were found among the three groups. Thus, the in vivo cell-mediated immunity was impaired in the first days after prolonged, high intensity exercise, whereas there was no impairment of the in vivo antibody production measured 2 wk after vaccination.
Bruunsgaard
H
H
Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Hartkopp
A
A
Mohr
T
T
Konradsen
H
H
Heron
I
I
Mordhorst
C H
CH
Pedersen
B K
BK
D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000276:immunology*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012882:Skin Tests; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014611:Vaccination
D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid