Influenza Vaccination in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Methods to Improve Immunogenicity and Future Directions

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the recent literature surrounding immune responses to influenza vaccination in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, in addition to reviewing future directions for novel vaccine technologies to help improve immunogenicity in this vulnerable population.Recent FindingsWhile organ transplantation remains a lifesaving treatment for those with organ failure, infections account for many complications in the post-transplant period. Influenza virus is the most common vaccine-preventable illness, but organ transplant recipients often mount an inferior immune response to vaccination compared to the general population. Due to their impaired immune responses to vaccinations, various studies have examined utilizing different strategies to increase immunogenicity to influenza vaccines in this patient population, including the use of booster doses, high-dose vaccines, and vaccines with adjuvants. Trials with high-dose influenza vaccines and booster doses have shown increased immunogenicity when compared to single standard-dose influenza vaccine. Although these strategies may improve immune responses to influenza vaccines to variable degrees, it is still unknown what the optimal method to provide protection against influenza infection in SOT recipients is. While more studies need to be conducted in the SOT population, there is promising new influenza vaccine technology development with mRNA vaccines, universal influenza vaccines, and monoclonal antibodie...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research