| Popis: |
Vaccination, illness, and smoking history were compiled for a young adult male population. The relationship of cigarette smoking to hemagglutination inhibition antibody response after exposure to a new antigen was assessed in serum specimens collected from 289 volunteers after the 1968 A2/Hong Kong/68 influenza epidemic. Titers were minimally increased among smokers who were sick compared with those of nonsmokers. Among smokers who remained well, titers were significantly increased, probably because of more frequent subclinical infection. The persistence of hemagglutination inhibition antibody after natural infection or vaccination with A2 antigens was significantly decreased among cigarette smokers, as were titers two weeks after vaccination. Serologic response to vaccination did not significantly differ between smoking groups. Smoking, vaccine history, and morbidity status during an influenza epidemic were significant factors in explaining variations in hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers. |
