Swine influenza vaccination in a dialysis and transplant population.

Abstract

Forty-one adult patients and ten pediatric patients from the Dialysis and Renal Transplant Service were immunized by the subcutaneous route with bivalent influenza vaccine (Wyeth Lab: 1976-1977 formula A/New Jersey/76 and A/Victoria/75). The acquisition of immunity was assessed by hemagglutinin-inhibition titers of antibody to A/NJ/76. Seroconversion was seen in 67% of dialysis patients and 50% of transplant patients. Within the dialysis patient groups (29 patients) there was no correlation with age or length of time on dialysis to the immunization response. The only variables important in seroconversion in the transplant group (22 patients) were age and creatinine clearance. Transplant patients 18-25 years old had a much lower response (12.5%) than did the under 18 (75%) and over 25-year-old patients (90%). All patients with a creatinine clearance greater than 65fl'J/min. responded, whereas only 44% seroconverted with a creatinine clearance less than 65 ml/min. The duration of the transplant, number of r...