Abstract
Because varicella in adults has a higher morbidity and mortality than in children, susceptible adults are a group that would benefit from VV. Since little is known about the immuno-genicity of VV in adults, we studied the immune responses of ten FAMA negative (fluorescent anti-membrane antibody) adults to VV. They received 2500 plaque-forming units of Oka/Merck VV (live, attenuated) and were boosted 3 months later. A FAMA was checked one month post vaccination and every 3 to 6 months thereafter. In addition, we studied their peripheral blood mononuclear cells by stimulation index (tritiated thymidine uptake with VZV antigen) responder cell frequency, RCF, (number of mononuclear cells that respond to VZV antigen), and ability to inhibit VZV plaque formation. The mean prevaccination stimulation index was 1.6, RCF was less than 1:100,000, and VZV plaque inhibition was 4%. Post vaccination, the mean values were 71, 1:30,000, and 51%, respectively. Although all ten adults had evidence of cell-mediated immunity by one month post vaccination, three were FAMA negative until after booster, and one remains FAMA negative 12 months later. No side effects were noted, and no decrease in humoral or cell-mediated immunity was seen over the follow-up period of 3 to 21 months (mean 12 months). This vaccine seems to be immunogenic in healthy, young adults but a discrepancy may be seen between the FAMA and tests of cell-mediated immunity.
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Rabalais, G., Levin, M. & Berkowitz, F. IMMUNOGENICITY OF VARICELLA VACCINE (VV) IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 316 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00895
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00895