Post-vaccination Immunity to Pneumococcal, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Infection and Influenza in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)

Abstract

Background: The goal of the present work was to study the dynamics of antibodies production to S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type b, influenza virus strains A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B after combined vaccination of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) considering the severity of the disease. Methods: To evaluate the dynamics of vaccination process (before vaccination and 3, 6 and 12 months later) 128 patients suffering from COPD, aged 45-80 years and with different severity of disease were examined. Group 1 (n=48), which was concomitantly vaccinated by Pneumo 23, Hiberix and Grippol Plus beyond the period of exacerbation in course of the standard therapy of COPD. Group 2 (n=80) nonvaccinated patients with COPD. Results: Combined vaccination against pneumococcal, H. influenzae type b and influenza is accompanied by production of antibodies to these infections, which persist during one year (observation period), regardless of disease severity. In patients with stage 4 COPD the level of antibodies to influenza virus in post-vaccination period was lower than in patients with stages 1, 2 and 3. Probably, these patients should be vaccinated against influenza twice. Despite the fact that patients with COPD had lower levels of post-vaccination antibodies than control, they demonstrated apparent clinical effect throughout 12 months, which was recorded as reduction of both exacerbation number in 3.7 times and the need in antibacterial medications in 4.3 times. Conclusion: Combined vaccination against bacterial and viral infections contributes to the achievement of antibody levels leading to development of significant clinical effect in patients with COPD.