MODULATION OF IMMUNE-RESPONSE TO RDNA HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION BY PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS

In a previous study it was shown that antibody formation after vaccina tion with a low-dose recombinant DNA (rDNA) hepatitis B vaccine was ne gatively influenced by psychological stress. The present study was des igned to assess whether the same inverse relation between HBs-antibody levels and psychological stress could be observed, while administerin g the standard, and thus higher, dose of vaccine. Volunteers (n = 68) scoring extremely low or high on a combination of questionnaires measu ring daily problems and psychoneurotic symptoms were selected for part icipation. Antibody levels were determined 2, 6, and 7 months after th e first vaccination. Questionnaires were completed before entering the study and at month 6. In contrast to the previous study, psychologica l stress was not found to be related to the antibody levels at any tim epoint. These results suggest that, under certain conditions, stress-i nduced immunomodulation in vivo might be dependent on antigen dose.