BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: A study was undertaken to assess the antibody responses to a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and clinical outcome in Taiwanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: From January to December 1999, 80 Taiwanese patients with COPD were enrolled. Each patient received a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax 23). Specific IgG antibodies to pneumococcal capsular antigens of serotypes 4, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F were measured before vaccination, and 6 weeks and 52 weeks after vaccination. RESULTS: Detectable prevaccination IgG antibody (> 1 microg/mL) was found in the range of 27.5% of patients for serotype 7F to 96.2% for serotype 14. Antibody concentrations in prevaccination sera were not different between middle-aged (< 65 years old) and elderly patients (> or = 65 years old). The percentage of elderly patients with postvaccination antibody concentration > 2 -fold higher than that prior to vaccination ranged from 84% for serotype 18C to 90% for serotypes 7F, 9V, and 19F. The change in antibody level (fold and absolute increases) postvaccination was not significantly different among the different age groups. CONCLUSION: Taiwanese elderly adults with COPD, even in advanced age, can mount a significant antibody response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. This study may support the existing recommendation that pneumococcal vaccine be offered to persons > or = 65 years old with COPD.
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: A study was undertaken to assess the antibody responses to a 23-valent pneumococcalpolysaccharide vaccine and clinical outcome in Taiwanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: From January to December 1999, 80 Taiwanese patients with COPD were enrolled. Each patient received a 23-valent pneumococcalpolysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax 23). Specific IgG antibodies to pneumococcal capsular antigens of serotypes 4, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F were measured before vaccination, and 6 weeks and 52 weeks after vaccination. RESULTS: Detectable prevaccination IgG antibody (> 1 microg/mL) was found in the range of 27.5% of patients for serotype 7F to 96.2% for serotype 14. Antibody concentrations in prevaccination sera were not different between middle-aged (< 65 years old) and elderly patients (> or = 65 years old). The percentage of elderly patients with postvaccination antibody concentration > 2 -fold higher than that prior to vaccination ranged from 84% for serotype 18C to 90% for serotypes 7F, 9V, and 19F. The change in antibody level (fold and absolute increases) postvaccination was not significantly different among the different age groups. CONCLUSION: Taiwanese elderly adults with COPD, even in advanced age, can mount a significant antibody response to pneumococcalpolysaccharide vaccine. This study may support the existing recommendation that pneumococcal vaccine be offered to persons > or = 65 years old with COPD.