Investigations of Influenza Vaccination in Kidney and Lung Transplant Populations

• Main Author: Bergeron, Amber
• Other Authors: Dr. Deepali Kumar (Medicine)
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Influenza; Vaccination; Transplant; Lung Transplant; Kidney Transplant; Cell-mediatied Immunity; Anti-HLA antibody
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10048/1103

These two studies investigate the immune responses of lung and kidney transplant recipients to the influenza vaccine. The study involving kidney transplant recipients developed a novel flow cytometry assay to measure cell-mediated immunity in response to influenza vaccination. The activation of T-cells was assessed through the change in T-cell production of interferon gamma after vaccination. In lung transplant recipients, the study examined the formation of de novo anti-HLA antibodies following influenza vaccination. Anti-HLA antibodies were classified as donor-specific or not. The study in kidney transplant recipients found that the influenza vaccine is effective at stimulating the immune response and producing long-lived memory in these patients, as evidenced by high baseline T-cell activity. The study of lung transplant recipients found that receiving the influenza vaccine did not result in the production of anti-HLA antibodies. Both studies found vaccine to be safe for use in these populations. === Experimental Medicine