Evaluation of cellular and humoral immune responses to Influenza vaccination in solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients: a collaborative study

Abstract

Influenza can cause great morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. Its damage is better known in lung and hematopoietic stem cells transplant recipients. In recent decades, incidence rates ranging from 9% to 47% have been reported in recipients of HSCT, 3 to 4% in lung transplant recipients and a lower incidence in recipients of liver or kidney transplants (0.4%). While the rates of seroresponse or seroprotection induced by vaccination are low, the inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended annually for this group of patients. Little is known about the cellular immune response to influenza vaccine. Unlike established for humoral immunity, the parameters to define protective cellular immunity against influenza are unknown, especially in immunocompromised hosts. This study aims to determine the cellular and humoral response to influenza vaccination in three distinct groups of transplant recipients, as well as the occurrence of influenza virus infection among the vaccinated. Thus, we expect to acquire a better understanding of the markers of protection against influenza in immunocompromised hosts. (AU)