[HTML][HTML] Cross-subtype immunity against avian influenza in persons recently vaccinated for influenza

C Gioia, C Castilletti, M Tempestilli… - Emerging Infectious …, 2008 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
C Gioia, C Castilletti, M Tempestilli, P Piacentini, L Bordi, R Chiappini, C Agrati
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2008ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Avian influenza virus (H5N1) can be transmitted to humans, resulting in a severe or fatal
disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune cross-reactivity between human
and avian influenza (H5N1) strains in healthy donors vaccinated for seasonal influenza A
(H1N1)/(H3N2). A small frequency of CD4 T cells specific for subtype H5N1 was detected in
several persons at baseline, and seasonal vaccine administration enhanced the frequency
of such reactive CD4 T cells. We also observed that seasonal vaccination is able to raise …
Abstract
Avian influenza virus (H5N1) can be transmitted to humans, resulting in a severe or fatal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune cross-reactivity between human and avian influenza (H5N1) strains in healthy donors vaccinated for seasonal influenza A (H1N1)/(H3N2). A small frequency of CD4 T cells specific for subtype H5N1 was detected in several persons at baseline, and seasonal vaccine administration enhanced the frequency of such reactive CD4 T cells. We also observed that seasonal vaccination is able to raise neutralizing immunity against influenza (H5N1) in a large number of donors. No correlation between influenza-specific CD4 T cells and humoral responses was observed. N1 may possibly be a target for both cellular and humoral cross-type immunity, but additional experiments are needed to clarify this point. These findings highlight the possibility of boosting cross-type cellular and humoral immunity against highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 by seasonal influenza vaccination.
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