Evaluation of Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine for Primary Immunization of Varicella-seronegative Transplant Recipients Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • ; Background.; Immunization of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-seronegative solid organ transplant (SOT) patients using the live-attenuated varicella vaccine is generally contraindicated, leaving no widely applicable immunization option. The recombinant subunit herpes zoster vaccine (RZV) is indicated for VZV-seropositive persons to prevent shingles but could potentially also protect VZV-seronegative persons against varicella. We performed a safety and immunogenicity evaluation of RZV in VZV-seronegative SOT recipients as an option for protection.; ; ; Methods.; VZV-seronegative adult SOT patients with no history of varicella/shingles vaccine or disease were given 2 doses of RZV vaccine 2–6 mo apart. Blood was drawn prevaccination (V1), before the second dose (V2), and 4 wk after the second dose (V3). Humoral immunity (anti-glycoprotein E) and cell-mediated immunity were evaluated, with polyfunctional cells defined as cells producing ≥2 cytokines.; ; ; Results.; Among 31 eligible VZV-seronegative SOT patients screened, 23 were enrolled. Median age was 38 y and median time since transplant procedure was 3.8 y. The most frequent transplant types were liver (35%) and lung (30%). Median anti-glycoprotein E levels significantly increased from V1 to V3 (P = 0.001) and V2 to V3 (P < 0.001), even though only 55% had a positive seroresponse. Median polyfunctional CD4 T-cell counts increased from V1 to V2 (54/106 versus 104/106 cells; P = 0.041) and from V2 to V3 (380/106; P = 0.002). Most adverse events were mild with no rejection episodes.; ; ; Conclusions.; RZV was safe and elicited significant humoral and cellular responses in VZV-seronegative SOT patients and has the potential to be considered as a preventive strategy against primary varicella.;

publication date

  • October 1, 2021

has restriction

  • green

Date in CU Experts

  • January 11, 2023 1:58 AM

Full Author List

  • L'Huillier AG; Hirzel C; Ferreira VH; Ierullo M; Ku T; Selzner N; Schiff J; Juvet S; Miao C; Schmid DS

author count

  • 12

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0041-1337

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 2316

end page

  • 2323

volume

  • 105

issue

  • 10