Antibody responses and HIV-1 viral load in HIV-1-seropositive subjects immunised with either the MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine or a conventional non-adjuvanted subunit vaccine during highly active antiretroviral therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To study immunological and virological parameters in HIV-1-seropositive adults treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 7 months after immunisation with MF59-adjuvanted (FLUAD, Chiron, Siena, Italy) or with non-adjuvanted (AGRIPPAL, Chiron) trivalent influenza vaccine.


METHODS
Blood samples, collected before and after vaccination, were analysed for the presence of antibodies against the vaccine antigens, for number of CD4+ T lymphocytes and HIV-1 RNA levels.


RESULTS
Forty-four volunteers received FLUAD and 40 AGRIPPAL influenza vaccine. Thirty days after vaccination both adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines induced significant increases of anti-influenza virus antibodies. However, antibody titres found in volunteers receiving adjuvanted vaccine were in general significantly higher when compared with those found in the non-adjuvanted vaccine group. The requirements of the European Commission of influenza vaccine for a non-elderly adult population were always met by recipients of the adjuvanted vaccine, even in those with the lowest CD4+ cell counts (<200 cells/mmc). The subjects receiving the non-adjuvanted vaccine failed to met these requirements. The CD4+ T lymphocytes and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels remained stable in the long term, both in people receiving adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted vaccine.


CONCLUSIONS
MF59-adjuvanted influenza induced a significant higher immune responses as compared with conventional vaccine in HIV-seropositive HAART-treated patients. Both vaccines were safe regarding HIV RNA viral replication and loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes.
Iorio
Anna M
AM
Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy. anna@unipg.it
Francisci
Daniela
D
Camilloni
Barbara
B
Stagni
Giuliano
G
De Martino
Matteo
M
Toneatto
Daniela
D
Bugarini
Roberto
R
Neri
Mariella
M
Podda
Audino
A
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D013185:Squalene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019562:Viral Load
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; C089950:MF59 oil emulsion; D011136:Polysorbates; D012367:RNA, Viral; D013185:Squalene