INFLUENZA VIRUS IMMUNIZATION EFFECTIVITY IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PATIENTS SUBJECTED TO TWO DIFFERENT TRIPLE-DRUG THERAPY IMMUNOSUPPRESSION PROTOCOLS

Abstract

Due to possible complications and treatment limitations, the prevention of influenza in renal transplant (RT) patients is highly indicated. Forty-nine patients with a 1-year functioning RT subjected to two different immunosuppressive regimens and 37 healthy relatives (HR) were administered the anti-influenza vaccine as recommended for 1996 to 1997. Anti-influenza antibody, creatinine, and immunological markers were estimated at 1 and 3 months after vaccination. Three months after vaccination, 46.2% of the RT patients and 69% of the HR (P=0.06) showed protective antibody titers to influenza A (relative risk [RR]; 0.67; 95% confidence interval: 0.44-1.02). A total of 20.5% of the RT patients and 44.8% of the HR showed antibodies to influenza B (P=0.03). Despite these differences, the incidence of illness was similar. The immunosuppressive regimen had no effect on the antibody response. Although the RT patients showed a reduced antibody response, no negative effects on graft outcome were observed.