[Effect of pneumo 23 vaccine administration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of intermediate severity].

Aim: To study dynamics ofclinico-immunological parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of intermediate severity after administration of Pbeumo 23 vaccine.
Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with COPD of intermediate severity comparable to sex, age, duration of smoking and COPD history were divided on two groups: main group (I)--20 patients vaccinated with Pneumo 23 vaccine, and control group (II)--25 patients, which received only standard treatment. Complete blood count, sputum cytology, expiratory function as well as immunological parameters (levels of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD25+, and IFN-gamma) were studied at baseline as well as 21 days, 3 months, and 6 months after vaccination.
Results: Stable remission of the disease (during 6 months) was noted in all patients in group I and in 20% of patients in group II. In group I, levels of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes did not change significantly, whereas number of activated T-lymphocytes (CD25+) significantly increased. There were substantial increase of IFN-gamma level and decrease of IgE level in serum in group I that could point to predominance of Thl-dependent immune response and activation of cellular immunity. There were no such changes in group II.
Conclusion: Administration of Pneumo 23 resulted in decrease of intensity of local inflammation and prolonged remission of COPD that allowed to recommend inclusion of vaccination to standard protocols of treatment for such patients.