An Adjuvanted A(H5N1) Subvirion Vaccine Elicits Virus-Specific Antibody Response and Improves Protection Against Lethal Influenza Viral Challenge in Mouse Model of Protein Energy Malnutrition

J Infect Dis. 2017 Sep 15;216(suppl_4):S560-S565. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiw585.

Abstract

Background: Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, including influenza infection, but no studies have addressed the potential influences of PEM on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of avian influenza A(H5N1) vaccine.

Methods: We investigated the role of PEM on vaccine-mediated protection after a lethal challenge with recombinant A(H5N1) virus using isocaloric diets providing either adequate protein (AP; 18% protein) or very low protein (VLP; 2% protein) in an established murine model of influenza vaccination.

Results: We demonstrated that mice maintained on a VLP diet succumb to lethal challenge at greater rates than mice maintained on an AP diet, despite comparable immunization regimens. Importantly, there was no virus-induced mortality in both VLP and AP groups of mice when either group was immunized with adjuvanted low-dose A(H5N1) subvirion vaccine.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that adjuvanted vaccination in populations where PEM is endemic may be one strategy to boost vaccination-promoted immunity and improve outcomes associated with highly pathogenic A(H5N1).

Keywords: adjuvant; avian influenza; influenza; malnutrition; protein energy malnutrition; vaccination; virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation*
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted / adverse effects
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / immunology
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / immunology*
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / virology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Influenza Vaccines