Live Attenuated Zoster Vaccine Boosts Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)–Specific Humoral Responses Systemically and at the Cervicovaginal Mucosa of Kenyan VZV-Seropositive Women. (25th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perciani, Catia T; Sekhon, Manmeet; Hundal, Sabrina; Farah, Bashir; Ostrowski, Mario A; Anzala, A Omu; McKinnon, Lyle R; Jaoko, Walter; MacDonald, Kelly S
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 218:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1210
• Page End: 1218
• Publication Date: 2018-05-25
• Subjects: varicella zoster -- virus -- zoster vaccine -- mucosal immunity -- vaccine vector -- HIV/AIDS vaccine; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy320
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract : We show that VZV-seropositive women sustain VZV-specific humoral immunity at the gastrointestinal and genital mucosa and that this immunity can be boosted upon vaccination. Our findings encourage further investigation of VZV as a potential vector in vaccines including HIV. Abstract: 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.