Influenza vaccination in liver transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
The immunogenicity of the trivalent inactivated influenza split virus vaccine (Infusplit SSW 97/98) containing A/Bayern/07/95 (H1N1)-like (A/Johannesburg/82/96 [NIB-39]), A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2)-like (A/Nanchang/933/95 [Resvir-0]), and B/Beijing/184/93-like (B/Harbin/7/94) hemagglutinin antigens was tested in liver transplant recipients (TXL-R).


METHODS
Serum antibody titers were determined 21+/-2 days after a single vaccination in 62 adult TXL-R and 59 adult volunteers.


RESULTS
Protective postimmunization antibody titers for the three antigens were similar in TXL-R (protection rates 92%, 92%, and 95%) and the comparison group (97%, 100%, and 100%). Adverse reactions were mild and less frequent in TXL-R. A significant decrease of CD8+CD38+ lymphocytes after vaccination was found in TXL-R. No association between antibody response and age, gender, time interval since transplantation, anti-hepatitis B surface antigen immunoprophylaxis, or immunosuppressive medication was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that the vaccine is safe and effective and should be recommended to TXL-R.
Burbach
G
G
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
Bienzle
U
U
Stark
K
K
Rayes
N
N
Neuhaus
R
R
Serke
S
S
Engelmann
H
H
Künzel
W
W
Türk
G
G
Neuhaus
P
P
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009244:NAD+ Nucleosidase / Q000032:analysis; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D009244:NAD+ Nucleosidase; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1