Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: When the Mpox virus (MPXV) began spreading globally in 2022, it became critical to evaluate whether residual immunity from smallpox vaccination provided cross-protection. To assess the cross-immune response to MPXV, we collected serum samples (n = 97) and PBMCs (n = 30) from healthy-donors, either born before 1974 and reporting smallpox vaccination during childhood or born after 1975 and not vaccinated with Vaccinia virus (VACV)-based vaccines. We evaluated the levels of anti-MPXV IgG and neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) and the presence of a T cell response against MPXV. We found anti-MPXV IgG and Nabs in 60 (89.6%) and 40 (70.1%) vaccinated individuals, respectively. We observed a T cell response to Orthopoxviruses and MPXV peptide pools in 30% of vaccinated individuals. We thus show that a high proportion of subjects who received the smallpox vaccine 40 to 60 years ago have humoral cross-immunity, while the T-cell-specific response against MPXV was observed in a smaller group (30%) of vaccinated individuals. This study, combined with information on immunity developed during natural infection or the administration of current vaccines, will contribute to a better understanding of humoral and cellular responses against MPXV.
Source: Vaccines
Authors: Giulia Matusali, Elisa Petruccioli, Eleonora Cimini, Francesca Colavita, Aurora Bettini, Eleonora Tartaglia, Settimia Sbarra, Silvia Meschi, Daniele Lapa, Massimo Francalancia, Licia Bordi, Valentina Mazzotta, Sabrina Coen, Klizia Mizzoni, Alessia Beccacece, Emanuele Nicastri, Luca Pierelli, Andrea Antinori, Enrico Girardi, Francesco Vaia, Alessandro Sette, Alba Grifoni, Delia Goletti, Vincenzo Puro, Fabrizio Maggi
Language: English
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,447
Funder: Ministero della Salute
OpenAlex ID: W4387208827