Human IGG and IGE antibody response to low-dose intradermal versus standard dose intramuscular influenza vaccination

Abstract

The influenza virus causes human respiratory disease and vaccination is the most reasonable approach for controlling viral infections. However, a shortage in annual vaccine production is a dangerous concern. Replacing standard dose intramuscular (IM) vaccination with low-dose intradermal (ID) vaccination is an attractive solution for sparing vaccine annually if low-dose ID vaccination can produce a similar immune response to standard IM vaccination. Unfortunately, low-dose ID vaccination may also provoke an increased IgE-mediated response. This study tested the ability of low-dose ID vaccination to produce a similar immune response to standard IM vaccination by measuring the amount of virus-specific whole molecule IgG antibody. Additionally, the potential for producing influenza-specific IgE antibody was measured. Serum from individuals vaccinated with a standard IM, 1/5 ID, or 1/25 ID vaccine dose were subjected to an ELISA specific for total A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1) virus-specific IgG and IgE antibodies. Results showed a dose-dependent IgG response with no significant difference between the three vaccine dose groups. No A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1) virus-specific IgE was detected. From this, we can conclude that low-dose ID vaccination does produce a response similar to standard IM vaccination. Additional studies are needed to determine if IgE is produced when low-dose ID vaccination is administered.