Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine in Islet Cell Transplant Recipients

Humoral Immune Response To Influenza Vaccine In Islet Cell In Transplant Recipients

Influenza virus is an important cause of morbidity in the transplant population and can lead to viral and bacterial pneumonia. Although the annual influenza vaccine is recommended for organ transplant patients, studies have shown that the standard inactivated influenza vaccine has poor immunogenicity in this population. The investigators plan to test the humoral response to vaccination and look at HLA upregulation

OBJECTIVE AND HYPOTHESIS

• To test the specific humoral response of the influenza vaccine after islet cell transplantation
• To test the production of HLA alloantibodies after vaccination.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult islet cell transplant recipients
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Egg allergy
• Previous life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccine (ie Guillain Barre Syndrome)
• Febrile illness in the past two weeks
• Unable to provide informed consent