Cytokine Production and Immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in Elderly Recipients of Zoster Vaccine
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Infectious Disease |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Immunology / Infectious Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 60 - 80 |
| Updated: | 7/20/2017 |
| Start Date: | January 2011 |
| End Date: | March 2012 |
Relationship of Cytokine Production and Immune Responses to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in Elderly Recipients of Zoster Vaccine
After immunization, particularly in older persons, some people are protected from disease by
a vaccine and others are not. The investigators believe that this variable response may be
due to overproduction of molecules that suppress development of immunity (antibodies and cell
mediated immunity). Normally, these molecules are produced to make sure that immunity is
regulated in just the right way for the body as a whole, and to prevent autoimmune disease.
However, with aging, the immune system may have difficulty in proper immune regulation. Over
production of immunosuppressive molecules after vaccination may interfere with the effects of
a vaccine. For example when elderly individuals are immunized against zoster with a licensed
vaccine, Zostavax, the vaccine is effective in only about 50 to 60%. The investigators will
compare blood levels of antibodies, cellular immunity, and immunosuppressive molecules in
recipients of Zostavax to see if there is a correlation between development low immunity and
high levels of immunosuppressive molecules.
a vaccine and others are not. The investigators believe that this variable response may be
due to overproduction of molecules that suppress development of immunity (antibodies and cell
mediated immunity). Normally, these molecules are produced to make sure that immunity is
regulated in just the right way for the body as a whole, and to prevent autoimmune disease.
However, with aging, the immune system may have difficulty in proper immune regulation. Over
production of immunosuppressive molecules after vaccination may interfere with the effects of
a vaccine. For example when elderly individuals are immunized against zoster with a licensed
vaccine, Zostavax, the vaccine is effective in only about 50 to 60%. The investigators will
compare blood levels of antibodies, cellular immunity, and immunosuppressive molecules in
recipients of Zostavax to see if there is a correlation between development low immunity and
high levels of immunosuppressive molecules.
In order to determine whether there is a relationship between production of immunosuppressive
cytokines (such as IL-10) an lower levels of immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) after
vaccination, the investigators will obtain blood samples before and 3-5 times after
immunization to determine the immunity to VZV and the levels of certain cytokines. The first
blood samples will be obtained before the vaccine is given, as baseline values.
The vaccine being used is the licensed vaccine, Zostavax, which is recommended by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be
administered to all relatively healthy individuals over the age of 50. This study does not
concern vaccine safety or effectiveness. As a benefit to vaccines, the vaccine is
administered at no charge to the subject.
cytokines (such as IL-10) an lower levels of immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) after
vaccination, the investigators will obtain blood samples before and 3-5 times after
immunization to determine the immunity to VZV and the levels of certain cytokines. The first
blood samples will be obtained before the vaccine is given, as baseline values.
The vaccine being used is the licensed vaccine, Zostavax, which is recommended by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be
administered to all relatively healthy individuals over the age of 50. This study does not
concern vaccine safety or effectiveness. As a benefit to vaccines, the vaccine is
administered at no charge to the subject.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Relatively healthy and over 60 years old
Exclusion Criteria:
- Having already received Zostavax
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