Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Are immunosuppressive medications associated with decreased responses to routine immunizations? A systematic review
Nikhil Agarwal1, Kevin Ollington, Marc Kaneshiro
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Background:
Long-term immunosuppressive medications are being used more commonly for a variety of medical conditions, including immune-mediated diseases and organ transplantation. While these medications are often necessary, they are associated with an increased risk of serious infections. Vaccination may be a way to prevent a variety of infections but vaccine responses among patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies have been variable.
Purpose:
To systematically review the literature describing immune responses among patients on immunosuppressive therapies to vaccinations including influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, hepatitis A and B, tetanus toxoid, pertussis, varicella, and zoster.
Data Sources:
English language citations in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from 1985 to 2010.
Study Selection:
Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts to identify prospective, controlled studies reporting pre- and post-vaccination titers of recommended vaccines in patients receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapies for full-text review.
Data Extraction:
Three reviewers independently assessed study characteristics including treatment regimens and pre- and post-vaccination titers.
Data Synthesis:
Of the 972 identified titles, fifteen met inclusion criteria. Ten studies assessed the effects of immunosuppressive medications on responses to influenza vaccine, four studies investigated responses following pneumococcal vaccination, and one study assessed both influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Five of the studies that evaluated influenza vaccination showed partially diminished responses among individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapies, while one of the pneumococcal vaccine studies showed significantly decreased responses following vaccination. Patients treated with more than one immunosuppressive medication were the least likely to respond to vaccination.
Limitations:
The heterogeneity of reported outcomes limits generalizeability.
Conclusions:
Immunosuppressive therapy, particularly combination regimens, may blunt response to influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. To ensure the best chance of response, immunizations should be administered prior to initiation of immunosuppressive medications whenever possible.
More Related Videos
06:03Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens
Published on: September 20, 2024
18:48In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:25Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
01:51Vaccinations
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...