The Journal of infectious diseases
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Obesity, a risk factor for increased severity of diverse diseases, is believed to have negative impact on vaccine efficacy. Recently, mortality has emerged as an outcome of pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1, necessitating development of effective vaccine strategies. Here we investigated effects of diet-induced obesity on vaccine-induced immune responses and protective efficacy against pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. ⋯ Our results show that prophylactic immune responses and protectiveness induced by 2009 H1N1 vaccine could be extremely compromised in diet-induced obesity. These results suggest that novel vaccination strategies for high-risk groups, including the obese population, are required.
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Statins may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that could reduce the risk of mortality from influenza virus infections. ⋯ Statin use may be associated with reduced mortality in patients hospitalized with influenza.