Assessment of Immunogenicity of Zostavax® in Patients With Antibody Deficiency 60 Years of Age and Older
Assessment of Immunogenicity of Zostavax® in Patients With Antibody Deficiency 60 Years of Age and Older
Recommendations concerning the administration of Zostavax® in patients with antibody
 deficiency are unclear. The investigators plan to assess the immunogenicity and safety of
 Zostavax® in patients with antibody deficiency as compared with healthy volunteers.
Common variable immune deficiency (CVID), specific antibody deficiency (SAD), and X-linked
 agammaglobulinemia (XLA) are among the most common primary antibody deficiencies in which the
 mainstay of treatment is gammaglobulin replacement. The use of high doses of immunoglobulin
 replacement therapy and the early recognition of co-morbid diseases during the course of
 CVID, SAD, and XLA has improved survival and led to an aging population of CVID, SAD, and XLA
 patients.

 The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination of all
 persons aged >60 years with 1 dose of vaccine directed against herpes zoster (Zostavax®) in
 the absence of any contraindications. Current standard of care includes avoidance of all
 vaccines when receiving gammaglobulin products due to passive immunity obtained from
 gammaglobulin against vaccine preventable infections. The exception to this rule is that
 patients on gammaglobulin should receive the yearly influenza vaccine due to its enhanced
 cell mediated immunity against the influenza virus. Clinical immunologists currently have no
 data upon which to advise patients receiving gammaglobulin replacement including those with
 CVID, SAD, and XLA concerning use of Zostavax®.

 All gammaglobulin replacement products maintain protective antibody levels against VZV.
 However, humoral immune responses with anti-VZV antibodies are relatively constant and do not
 protect against the development of shingles. Varicella zoster virus specific cell mediated
 immunity (VZV-CMI), which is T cell dependent, is the critical component in preventing herpes
 zoster (shingles). VZV-CMI diminishes with age leaving the elderly most susceptible to
 shingles. Several studies have concluded that boosting VZV-CMI protects older adults from
 developing herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

 Recommendations on the prevention of herpes zoster published in the Morbidity and Mortality
 Weekly Report (MMWR) by the Centers for disease control (CDC) in May 2008 make the following
 statements:

 1. Zoster vaccine should not be administered to persons with primary or acquired
 immunodeficiency including:

 a. Persons with clinical or laboratory evidence of other unspecified cellular
 immunodeficiency.

 2. Persons with impaired humoral immunity (e.g., hypogammaglobulinemia or
 dysgammaglobulinemia) can/should receive zoster vaccine.

 The investigators hypothesize that vaccination with Zostavax® in adults with CVID, SAD, and
 XLA who have evidence of normal cell mediated immunity with normal T cell quantities and
 function will have a boost in VZV-CMI thereby reducing susceptibility to shingles and PHN.

 Successful completion of this study will provide clinical immunologists with data upon which
 to advise antibody deficient patients concerning the use of Zostavax®.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria for Antibody Deficient Patients

 Inclusion Criteria

 -  Adults 60 years of age and older

 -  Diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), Specific Antibody Deficiency
 (SAD), or X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)

 -  Receiving replacement gammaglobulin

 -  Willing and able to sign consent and follow study schedule

 -  History of varicella or long-term (greater than or equal to 30 years) residence in the
 USA

 Exclusion Criteria

 -  Allergy to Zostavax® or any of its components (i.e gelatin, neomycin)

 -  Absolute CD3, CD4, or CD8 lymphopenia as determined by age specific reference ranges

 -  Poor T cell function as indicated by a < 30 % increase in T cell response to mitogens
 or antigens as compared to the age matched normal reference range (in CVID) subjects

 -  Evidence of acute systemic illness or infection at within four weeks of screening or
 enrollment

 -  Prior herpes zoster infection

 -  Previously received herpes zoster vaccination

 -  Malignancy including solid tumors, leukemia, or lymphoma

 -  Presence of autoimmune or other inflammatory disease

 -  Use of immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medications including chronic
 corticosteroids. Treatment for >2weeks of daily steroids will be considered chronic
 use.

 -  History of bleeding or chronic skin disorders.

 -  Pregnant or breastfeeding females

 -  Immunizations within one month

 -  Persons with HIV or AIDS

 -  Subject unwilling to sign consent or adhere to study schedule

 -  Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the conduct
 of the study

 -  Subjects unlikely to adhere to protocol follow-up

 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Subjects

 Inclusion Criteria

 -  Adults 60 years of age and older

 -  Willing and able to sign consent and follow study schedule

 -  History of varicella or long-term (greater than or equal to 30 years) residence in the
 USA

 Exclusion Criteria

 -  Allergy to Zostavax® or any of its components (i.e gelatin, neomycin)

 -  Evidence of acute systemic illness or infection at within four weeks of screening or
 enrollment

 -  Prior herpes zoster infection

 -  Previously received herpes zoster vaccination

 -  Malignancy including solid tumors, leukemia, or lymphoma

 -  Presence of autoimmune or other inflammatory disease

 -  Use of immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medications including chronic
 corticosteroids. Treatment for >2weeks of daily steroids will be considered chronic
 use.

 -  History of bleeding or chronic skin disorders.

 -  Pregnant or breastfeeding females

 -  Immunizations within one month

 -  Persons with HIV or AIDS

 -  Subject unwilling to sign consent or adhere to study schedule

 -  Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the conduct
 of the study

 -  Subjects unlikely to adhere to protocol follow-up