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Human Influenza: Aspects of the Immune Response to Vaccination
- JULIUS A. KASEL, PH.D.Bethesda, Maryland ;
- ROGER D. ROSSEN, M.D.;
- ROBERT V. FULK, M.D.;
- DAVID S. FEDSON, M.D.;
- ROBERT B. COUCH, M.D.; and
- PAUL BROWN, M.D.
- Requests for reprints should be addressed to Julius A. Kasel, Ph.D., Head, Medical Virology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bldg. 10, Rm. 11N-214, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. 20014.
SUMMARY
The studies presented in this Conference illustrate some of the newer aspects of the immune response to infection with influenza virus and vaccination with inactivated vaccines. The predominant immunoglobulin in respiratory secretions is an 11S IgA dimer that is distinguishable from serum IgA. Intranasal immunization with inactivated vaccines resulted in higher titers and greater duration of antibody in respiratory secretions than did subcutaneous vaccination. In addition, if given in adequate dosages, vaccination by this method resulted in significant levels of humoral antibody in most vaccinees. The degree of both serum and nasal antibody responses was shown to be related to the age and prior immunologic experience of the vaccinated individual. Initial studies from challenge experiments suggested that intranasal vaccination was as effective as subcutaneous vaccination in reducing infection.
Article and Author Information
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This is an edited transcription of a Combined Clinical Staff Conference at the Clinical Center, Bethesda, Md., by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
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Dr. Rossen was supported in part by grants HE 05435 and FR 00350, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
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Dr. Couch's studies were supported by research contract PH 43-68-936, Vaccine Development Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
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*Assistant Professor, Departments of Microbiology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine; and the Laboratories of Immunology, The Methodist Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital; Houston, Tex.
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- Received May 28, 1969.
- Accepted June 3, 1969.
