Characteristics of cell-mediated immunity after oral administration of a live influenza vaccine.

Development of immunological status of children after oral administration of a live influenza vaccine was followed using different tests of the cellular (blast transformation assay, identification of T, B and nil lymphocytes) and humoral (haemagglutination inhibition test, neuraminidase-inhibition test, neutralization test) immune response. Direct correlation was observed between the increase of neutralizing antibody and the lymphocyte stimulation indices in blast transformation assay (BTA). In vaccinated children the reactivity of lymphocytes was reduced and the amount of T lymphocytes decreased. The influenza vaccine has been shown to possess weak sensitizing properties.