[Local and systemic antibody response after vaccination with 3 different types of vaccines against influenza I. Hemagglutinationinhibiting antibodies (author's transl)].

A comparative study on the formation of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies after vaccination with 3 different types of Influenza Vaccines (Whole virion, Splitvirion, and Subunit type) was performed in adults and children. The study populations were homogeneous as regards age and pre-immunization antibody profile. The following results were obtained: 1) Strain specific conversion rates for the A component (A/Victoria/3/75 H3N2) were 77% with the whole virion vaccine, 79% with the Splitvirion vaccine and 91% with the Subunit vaccine. The antibody conversion factors calculated on the basis of the geometric mean titers (GMT) were 5.0, 6,7 and 9.0 respectively. A fourfold increase in titers was observed in 68% of vaccinees with the whole virion vaccine, in 55% of vaccinees with the Splitvirion vaccine, and in 70% of vaccinees with the Subunit vaccine. 2) Local antibody formation on the basis of conversion rates yielded values of 18% (whole virion), 22% (Splitvirion), and 28% (Subunit vaccine). 3) Systemic antibody responses revealed predominantly strain and subtype specificity as opposed to local antibody formation which was also directed towards older sybtypes. This phenomenon was more pronounced in adults than in children. 4) A significant correlation was found between the local antibody production and the concentration of hemagglutination inhibiting serum antibodies as well as between the IgA concentration in nasal wash fluid and the percentage of individuals exhibiting local antibody formation in the upper respiratory tract system. 5) In children 6-14 years of age the antibody conversion rates were found to be 91-100% for the A component with the 3 vaccines under study. The GMT for the respective vaccines A, B and S ranged from 1:170 over 1:139 to 1:211. 6) With regard to the induction of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to the B component of the vaccine (B/Hongkong/8/73) either vaccine proved to be of insufficinet potency. Though conversion rates of 6/ to 77% (60-90% in children) were observed the GMT range was only 1:17 to 1:21 (1:21 to 1:35 in children). Only 29 to 35% of the adults and about one half of the children developed antibodies of greater than or equal to 1:40 after vaccination. With regard to this observation it has to be discussed whether one shouldn't consider monovalent A vaccines for future use in influenza vaccination campaigns.