ANTIBODY-RESPONSE TO INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION IN PATIENTS AFTER HEART-TRANSPLANTATION

The aim of this study was to evaluate post-heart transplantation (Htx) response to two-dose and three-dose influenza vaccine. Hemagglutinati on inhibition antibodies were monitored in HTx recipients immunized tw ice (n=25) or three times (n=17), and non-HTx controls (n=8) once, wit h inactivated influenza vaccine. Post-first dose protective antibody t iters (greater than or equal to 1:40) were demonstrated in 9/25 (36%) for A/Singapore/ (H1N1), 5/25 (20%) for A/Shanghai/(H3N2) and 2/25 (8% ) for B/Yamagata compared with 4/8 (50%), 6/8 (75%) and 2/8 (25%), res pectively, for controls. Post-second dose protective titers remained l ow, increasing following the third dose to 71%, 65% and 29%, respectiv ely. The abnormally low antibody responses of HTx recipients to one-do se and two-dose influenza vaccine can be overcome by a third dose. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.