Live Attenuated Zoster Vaccine Boosts Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)–Specific Humoral Responses Systemically and at the Cervicovaginal Mucosa of Kenyan VZV …

CT Perciani, M Sekhon, S Hundal… - The Journal of …, 2018 - academic.oup.com
CT Perciani, M Sekhon, S Hundal, B Farah, MA Ostrowski, AO Anzala, LR McKinnon
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2018academic.oup.com
Background Attenuated varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a promising vector for recombinant
vaccines. Because human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) vaccines are believed to require
mucosal immunogenicity, we characterized mucosal VZV-specific humoral immunity
following VZVOka vaccination. Methods Adult Kenyan VZV-seropositive women (n= 44)
received a single dose of the live zoster VZVOka vaccine. The anamnestic responses to the
virus were followed longitudinally in both plasma and mucosal secretions using an in-house …
Background
Attenuated varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a promising vector for recombinant vaccines. Because human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) vaccines are believed to require mucosal immunogenicity, we characterized mucosal VZV-specific humoral immunity following VZVOka vaccination.
Methods
Adult Kenyan VZV-seropositive women (n = 44) received a single dose of the live zoster VZVOka vaccine. The anamnestic responses to the virus were followed longitudinally in both plasma and mucosal secretions using an in-house glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and safety and reactogenicity monitored. VZV seroprevalence and baseline responses to the virus were also characterized in our cohorts (n = 288).
Results
Besides boosting anti-VZV antibody responses systemically, vaccination also boosted anti-VZV immunity in the cervicovaginal mucosa with a 2.9-fold rise in immunoglobulin G (P < .0001) and 1.6-fold rise in immunoglobulin A (IgA) (P = .004) from the time before immunization and 4 weeks postvaccination. Baseline analysis demonstrated high avidity antibodies at the gastrointestinal and genital mucosa of VZV-seropositive women. Measurement of VZV-specific IgA in saliva is a sensitive tool for detecting prior VZV infection.
Conclusions
VZVOka vaccine was safe and immunogenic in VZV-seropositive adult Kenyan women. We provided compelling evidence of VZV ability to induce genital mucosa immunity.
Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02514018.
Oxford University Press