title: Is obesity a risk factor for vaccine non-responsiveness?
abstract: Understanding the link between vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy is currently a major focus in HIV research. Consequently, recent developments in the HIV-1 vaccine field have led to a closer look at immune responses to known efficacious vaccines. We undertook a study to explore clinical predictors of vaccine efficacy following recombinant hepatitis B (rHBV) vaccination in a cohort of HIV-uninfected, hepatitis B virus naïve women living in a peri-urban setting in Cape Town. Our aim was to define host biological risk factors associated with lack of vaccine uptake. We found a significant association (p=0.009) between body mass index (BMI) and lack of vaccine-specific IgG titre (<10 mIU/mL). Obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) were significantly more likely to be non-responders following 2 rHBV vaccine doses (Adjusted Odds Ratio of 8.75; p=0.043). There was no observed association between vaccine responses and age, method of contraception or time from vaccination to antibody measurement. These data suggest that obesity-associated factors interfere with vaccine immunogenicity and possible efficacy.
authors.affiliation: The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa ; National Health Laboratory Services, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Clive M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Linda-Gail
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bekker
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines