Immune Response in Young Men to the 2014/15 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Abstract

Currently there is limited research on the impact of adiposity and physical activity on influenza vaccination. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the role of adiposity and physical activity in the immune response of males aged 18-35 to the 2014/2015 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine. Blood was drawn pre and four weeks post vaccination. Serum samples were analyzed for changes in antibody titers, serum leptin, soluble leptin receptors (sLEPR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). No differences in median percent body fat, leptin, sLEPR or CRP were associated with seroconversion rates. Participants with higher physical activity scores had lower seroconversion rates. Differences were found for the A/Texas strain (p<0.01) with a similar trend observed for the other influenza strains. Further work needs to be done in this area to confirm this trend.