Cross-subtype immunity against avian influenza in persons recently vaccinated for influenza.
Avian influenza virus (H5N1) can be transmitted to humans, resulting in a severe or fatal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune cross-reactivity between human and avian influenza (H5N1) strains in healthy donors vaccinated for seasonal influenza A (H1N1)/(H3N2). A small frequency of CD4 T cells specific for subtype H5N1 was detected in several persons at baseline, and seasonal vaccine administration enhanced the frequency of such reactive CD4 T cells. We also observed that seasonal vaccination is able to raise neutralizing immunity against influenza (H5N1) in a large number of donors. No correlation between influenza-specific CD4 T cells and humoral responses was observed. N1 may possibly be a target for both cellular and humoral cross-type immunity, but additional experiments are needed to clarify this point. These findings highlight the possibility of boosting cross-type cellular and humoral immunity against highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 by seasonal influenza vaccination.
Gioia
Cristiana
C
Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Via Portuense 292, Rome, Italy.
Castilletti
Concetta
C
Tempestilli
Massimo
M
Piacentini
Paola
P
Bordi
Licia
L
Chiappini
Roberta
R
Agrati
Chiara
C
Squarcione
Salvatore
S
Ippolito
Giuseppe
G
Puro
Vincenzo
V
Capobianchi
Maria R
MR
Poccia
Fabrizio
F
D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006388:Hemagglutinins; D007252:Influenza Vaccines