No evidence of a link between influenza vaccines and Guillain–Barre syndrome–associated antiganglioside antibodies

Abstract

Please cite this paper as: Wang et al. (2011) No evidence of a link between influenza vaccines and Guillain–Barre syndrome–associated antiganglioside antibodies. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 159–166. Background Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by acute, progressive peripheral neuropathy and is commonly associated with the presence of antiganglioside antibodies. Previously, influenza vaccination was linked with the increased incidence of GBS; however, whether antiganglioside antibodies are subsequently induced remains unresolved. Methods Sera from human subjects vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccines from the 2007–2008, 2008–2009, or 1976–1977 influenza seasons were screened for the induction of immunity to influenza and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies pre‐ and post‐vaccination. Likewise, sera from mice vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccines (1988–1989, 2007–2008) or “swine flu” pandemic vaccines (1976, 2009) were assessed in the same manner. Viruses were also screened for cross‐reacting ganglioside epitopes. Results Antiganglioside antibodies were found to recognize influenza viruses; this reactivity correlated with virus glycosylation. Antibodies to influenza viruses were detected in human and mouse sera, but the prevalence of antiganglioside antibodies was extremely low. Conclusions Although the correlation between antiganglioside antibody cross‐reactivity and glycosylation of viruses suggests the role of shared carbohydrate epitopes, no correlation was observed between hemagglutinin‐inhibition titers and the induction of antiganglioside antibodies after influenza vaccination.

T cell epitope redundancy: cross-conservation of the TCR face between pathogens and self and its implications for vaccines and autoimmunity

“…Although anti-ganglioside antibodies can recognize the influenza virus (probably due to glycosylation), no such antibodies were found in sera of vaccinated patients [77]. Although no studies have identified specific T cell epitopes involved, it is clear that their formation is T cell-dependent.…”

Did the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent inactivated vaccines increase the risk for Guillain–Barré syndrome?

“…Wang et al found GM1 and GM2 antiganglioside polyclonal antibodies cross-react with multiple H1N1 and H3N2 influenza strains based on the degree of virus glycosylation [15]. They also followed-up (in 2009) 46 persons previously vaccinated with 1976 H1N1 influenza vaccine and did not find anti-GM1, -GM2 or -GD1a antibodies in their serum.…”

“…However, among 612 recipients of 2007-2008 or 2008-2009 influenza vaccines, 4 (all >60 years of age) had detectable antiganglioside antibody after immunization. They also injected mice with influenza vaccine and found the ability to induce antiganglioside antibodies varied by the strains of mice, suggesting a genetic role [15]. One small study failed to detect antiganglioside antibodies in 6 mice, 8 GBS patients or 60 other humans who had received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine [16].…”

The effects of fever on hormone ghrelins, immunoglobulins, and heat shock protein 70 expression after swine flu vaccinations

“…After detection of the virus, vaccine manufacturers started developing a pandemic H1N1 vaccine. Global vaccinations inoculated against swine flu with the use of inactivated, without and with adjuvant, and live attenuated vaccines [8][9][10][11]. Healthcare workers were among the first to be inoculated against swine flu in most countries, including Turkey.…”