Abstract
Pneumococcal infections are frequently observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and active immunization has been recommended as prophylaxis in this patient group. We studied 103 out-patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic HIV infection with respect to specific IgG and IgG2 pneumococcal antibodies before and after vaccination with a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. A significant increase (> 2-fold) in IgG and IgG2 antibody levels was observed after 1 month in 69/103 patients (67%) with no correlation with the CD4 cell count at the time of vaccination. The response rate was not influenced by concurrent treatment with anti-retroviral monotherapy, or by age or gender. After immunization a strong correlation between IgG and IgG2 anti-pneumococcal antibodies was demonstrated. Nevertheless, 12 months after vaccination the specific antibody titres were not significantly different from pre-vaccination values. In conclusion, antibodies induced by pneumococcal vaccination in patients with HIV infection have a short duration. This raises the question as to whether vaccination will have any impact on clinical end-point in this group of patients.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases |
Vol/bind | 30 |
Udgave nummer | 6 |
Sider (fra-til) | 597-601 |
Antal sider | 5 |
ISSN | 0036-5548 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 1998 |
Udgivet eksternt | Ja |