Antibody Responses to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in Taiwanese Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the antibody responses to a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and clinical outcome in Taiwanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). From January to December 1999, 80 Taiwanese patients with COPD were enrolled. Each patient received a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax 23). Specific IgG antibodies to pneumococcal capsular antigens of serotypes 4, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F were measured before vaccination, and 6 weeks and 52 weeks after vaccination. Detectable prevaccination IgG antibody (> 1 microg/mL) was found in the range of 27.5% of patients for serotype 7F to 96.2% for serotype 14. Antibody concentrations in prevaccination sera were not different between middle-aged (< 65 years old) and elderly patients (> or = 65 years old). The percentage of elderly patients with postvaccination antibody concentration > 2 -fold higher than that prior to vaccination ranged from 84% for serotype 18C to 90% for serotypes 7F, 9V, and 19F. The change in antibody level (fold and absolute increases) postvaccination was not significantly different among the different age groups. Taiwanese elderly adults with COPD, even in advanced age, can mount a significant antibody response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. This study may support the existing recommendation that pneumococcal vaccine be offered to persons > or = 65 years old with COPD.