Immune response to vaccine against influenza in smokers, non-smokers and, in individuals holding respiratory complications

Abstract

Levels of antibody against influenza virus were evaluated in serum pairing samples from individuals immunized against influenza by Hemagglutination Inhibition and Single Radial Hemolysis tests. For this purpose, groups of smokers, non-smokers and, of those holding respiratory complications, were formed. Results of serologic titrations pointed out to an increase in the level of antibodies for the smoker and non-smoker groups, with significant degrees of difference up to P < 0.001 difference between both averages after immunization. However, in the group of respiratory complications no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found out between the averages antibody levels for the subtype A (H1N1) and the Type B (vaccine components); an increase only at the level of antibodies was registered, with differences among the averages of the antibody levels, for the subtype A (H3N2) (vaccine component) at degrees of P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 on the titration of the SRH and HI tests, respectively. It can demonstrate that immunization against influenza presents a good protection for the smoker and non-smoker groups; however, in the group of respiratory complications it only occurred with the subtype A (H3N2), indicating that this subtype presents good antigenicity since it has induced better formation of antibodies, even in defective organisms.