Humoral and Cellular Immunogenicity of Zoster Vaccine within One Year after Herpes Zoster

Abstract

BackgroundHerpes zoster vaccination is recommended to patients with a prior history of herpes zoster to prevent reactivation. However, the appropriate timing of vaccination is controversial. We compared immunogenicity of vaccine according to timing of vaccination after zoster illness.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, subjects were stratified into two groups by the vaccination timing since their zoster illness: 6–12 months (within-1 year group) vs. 1–5 years (after-1 year group). Blood samples were collected before and 6 weeks after vaccination of zoster vaccine live. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-specific IgG concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assays were performed to assess VZV specific T-cell responses.ResultsA total of 59 patients (18 in the within-1 year group and 41 in the after-1 year group) were enrolled. Ages were not significantly different between groups. The baseline geometric mean titer (GMT) of VZV IgG was higher in the within-1 year group than in the after-1 year group (245.8 IU/mL vs. 124.9 IU/mL; P = 0.040). The geometric mean fold-rise (GMFR) of VZV IgG was lower in the within-1 year group than in the after-1 year group (1.42 vs. 2.46; P = 0.002). The GMT of spot forming cell (SFC) counts by ELISPOT at baseline and 6 weeks after vaccination were not significantly different between groups. The GMFRs of SFCs were also comparable.ConclusionZoster vaccination within 1 year after zoster illness may have disadvantage in the aspect of humoral immune response (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02704572).Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.