Quantitative and Functional Antibody Responses to the 13-Valent Conjugate and/or 23-Valent Purified Polysaccharide Vaccine in Aging HIV-Infected Adults.

Background: The number of aging human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) individuals living in the United States has substantially grown over the past two decades. Advanced age and HIV infection both increase susceptibility to infection due to B cell dysfunction. The combined impact of these factors on pneumococcal vaccine responses remains unknown.

Inflammatory Markers and Immune Response to Pneumococcal Vaccination in HIV-Positive and -Negative Adults.

Background: Members of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-superfamily have speculated roles in the response against T-independent type II antigens (TI-II) including pneumococcal polysaccharides (PPS). Dysregulation in their expression is associated with an enhanced risk for pneumococcal disease in neonates but their expression in other high-risk populations including HIV-positive individuals remains to be elucidated.

Objective: To investigate signals that contribute towards PPS-response and identify potential anomalies that may account for diminished serological response in HIV-positive individuals post Pneumovax (PPV23) immunization.

Alterations in serotype-specific B cell responses to the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in aging HIV-infected adults.

Background: Advanced age and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are associated with increased pneumococcal disease risk. The impact of these factors on cellular responses to vaccination is unknown.

Methods: HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals 50-65 years old with CD4(+) Tcells/μl (CD4) >200 on antiretroviral therapy (ART) ≥1 year received either the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PCV/PPV) or PPV only.