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E.W. Brenu1,2*, M. van Driel1,4, D.R. Staines1,5, S. Kreijkamp-Kaspers1,2, S. L. Hardcastle1,2,
S.M. Marshall-Gradisnik1,2,3
International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2012, 3, ***-***
Published Online November 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ijcm)
1Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Population Health and Neuroimmunology Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia;
2Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia; 3School of Medical Science, Griffith Health
Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia; 4Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine,
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; 5Queensland Health, Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Robina, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
ABSTRACT
ETA: via CFIDS Association of America
E.W. Brenu1,2*, M. van Driel1,4, D.R. Staines1,5, S. Kreijkamp-Kaspers1,2, S. L. Hardcastle1,2,
S.M. Marshall-Gradisnik1,2,3
International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2012, 3, ***-***
Published Online November 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ijcm)
1Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Population Health and Neuroimmunology Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia;
2Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia; 3School of Medical Science, Griffith Health
Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia; 4Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine,
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; 5Queensland Health, Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Robina, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
ABSTRACT
Immune dysfunction is a hallmark of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).
The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the effects of influenza vaccination on immune function in patients with CFS/ME. We included 7 patients meeting the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention criteria (CDC 1994) for ME/CFS and 8 control subjects.
Bloods were collected from all participants prior to vaccination with Influvac a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV), 14 and 28 days following vaccination. The immune parameters examined include Natural Killer (NK) phenotypes, NK cytotoxic activity, FOXP3 and Th1/Th2/Th17 related cytokines. Flow cytometric protocols were employed.
There was no significant difference in NK phenotypes and Tregs numbers between CFS/ME patients and healthy controls.
However, NK activity was significantly decreased at baseline and at 28 days while at 14 days it was significantly increased in the CFS/ME patients compared to the healthy controls.
Th1 pro-inflammatory cytokines were much more increased in the CFS/ME patients at 28 days compared to the non-fatigued controls.
Only one Th2 cytokine, IL-4, was increased in the CFS/ME participants. FOXP3 expressing Tregs were significantly increased only at day 28 post vaccination in the CFS/ME patients compared to the healthy controls.
Self-rated wellbeing was lower for patients at day 28 while at baseline and day 14 no differences were observed.
In this pilot study immunization with influenza vaccine is accompanied by a degree of immune dysregulation in CFS/ME patients compared with controls. While vaccination may protect CFS/ME patients against influenza, it has the ability to increase cytotoxic activity and pro-inflammatory reactions post vaccination.
The role of Tregs in promoting a toxic effect at 28 days post-vaccination in our patient group cannot be ruled out. The benefits of influenza vaccine still likely outweigh the risks CFS/ME patients experience following vaccination.
ETA: via CFIDS Association of America