Tacrolimus ointment does not affect the immediate response to vaccination, the generation of immune memory, or humoral and cell-mediated immunity in children

Date

2006

Authors

Hofman, T.
Cranswick, N.
Kuna, P.
Boznanski, A.
Latos, T.
Gold, M.
Murrell, D.
Gebauer, K.
Behre, U.
Machura, E.

Editors

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Type:

Journal article

Citation

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2006; 91(11):905-910

Statement of Responsibility

T Hofman, N Cranswick, P Kuna, A Boznanski, T Latos, M Gold, D F Murrell, K Gebauer, U Behre, E Machura, J Ólafsson, Z Szalai

Conference Name

Abstract

Background: Concern exists that the prolonged application of immunomodulators to treat atopic dermatitis may cause systemic immunosuppression. Aims: In a 7-month, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial, we investigated the equivalence of response to vaccination against meningococcal serogroup C disease with a protein-conjugate vaccine in children (2–11 years) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, by applying either 0.03% tacrolimus ointment (TAC-O; n = 21) or a hydrocortisone ointment regimen (HC-O; n = 111). Methods: TAC-O was applied twice daily (bid) for 3 weeks, and thereafter daily until clearance. 1% hydrocortisone acetate (HA) for head/neck and 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment for trunk/limbs was applied bid for 2 weeks; thereafter HA was applied bid to all affected areas. At week 1, patients were vaccinated with protein-conjugate vaccine against meningococcal serogroup C, and challenged at month 6 with low dose meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The control group (44 non-atopic dermatatits children) received the primary vaccination and challenge dose. Assessments were made at baseline, weeks 1 and 5, and months 6 and 7. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with a serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titre 8 at the week 5 visit. Results: The response rate (patients with SBA titre 8) was 97.5% (confidence interval (CI) approximately 97.3 to 100), 99.1% (94.8 to 100) and 97.7% (93.3 to 100) in the TAC-O, HC-O and control groups, respectively. Conclusions: The immune response to vaccination against meningococcal serogroup C in children with atopic dermatitis applying either 0.03% TAC-O or HC is equivalent. Ointment application does not affect the immediate response to vaccination, generation of immune memory or humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

School/Discipline

Dissertation Note

Provenance

Description

Access Status

Rights

Copyright © 2006 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

License

Grant ID

Call number

Persistent link to this record