Varicella vaccination elicits a humoral and cellular response in children with rheumatic diseases using immune suppressive treatment

Noortje Groot, Gecilmara Pileggi, Cleonice B Sandoval, Ingrid Rotstein Grein, Guy Berbers, Virginia Paes Leme Ferriani, Nico Wulffraat, Sytze de Roock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess humoral and cellular responses to live-attenuated varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccination of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) or juvenile scleroderma (JScle) compared to those of healthy controls (HC).

METHODS: Before, 4-6weeks and one year after VZV vaccination, blood samples of patients and HC were collected. VZV-specific antibody concentrations were measured by ELISA and multiplex immune-assay. IFN-γ ELISpot assays were performed to assess VZV-specific T-cell responses. Cytokine production upon VZV stimulation were measured with a Luminex-assay.

RESULTS: 49 patients (39 JIA, 5 JDM, 5 JScle) and 18 HC were included. All patients used methotrexate (MTX), 16 also used corticosteroids, 3 patients used biologics. No disease flares were reported after vaccination. Antibody response to the vaccine was similar in patients and controls (p=0.139). Use of immunosuppressive drugs did not affect the response (p=0.203). A second vaccination (n=21) increased VZV-specific antibody concentrations (p=0.02). VZV-specific T-cells increased after vaccination (p=0.043), with a cytokine profile suggesting a VZV-specific Th1 and cytotoxic T-cell response.

CONCLUSION: The humoral response to VZV vaccination in patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD) is similar to that of HC. Generally, patients are able to mount a VZV-specific cellular response. This study has been registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry under number U1111-1189-9837.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2818-2822
Number of pages5
JournalVaccine
Volume35
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2017

Keywords

  • Immunogenicity
  • Juvenile dermatomyositis
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • Juvenile systemic scleroderma
  • Live-attenuated vaccination
  • Varicella

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Varicella vaccination elicits a humoral and cellular response in children with rheumatic diseases using immune suppressive treatment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this