Substudies of ESPRIT: ESPRIT Influenza Vaccine Substudy (FLUVAC) and ESPRIT Tetanus-Pneumococcal Vaccine Substudy (TEPVAC)

This investigation is a sub-study of the 6-year multinational ESPRIT (Evaluation of Subcutaneous Proleukin in a Randomized International Trial) protocol. It will compare the effectiveness of the influenza (FLUVAC) and tetanus-pneumococcal (TEPVAC) vaccines in HIV-infected patients receiving interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus anti-HIV drugs with those receiving only anti-HIV drugs. IL-2 is a protein naturally produced by immune cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from patients with HIV do not produce IL-2 normally. The ESPRIT trial is evaluating whether HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral drugs plus IL-2 have fewer serious infections and improved survival than those receiving only anti-HIV drugs.

Participants in this sub-study will be drawn from patients enrolled in ESPRIT. They must be 18 years of age or older, have HIV infection with no symptoms of significant HIV illness. They will be vaccinated against either influenza or tetanus and pneumococcus, as follows:

FLUVAC

Potentially eligible patients will be screened for the FLUVAC study during an ESPRIT follow-up visit. Those who are eligible and agree to participate will have 10 ml (1 tablespoon) of blood drawn to assess baseline antibody levels and then receive the vaccination. They will be vaccinated annually for 3 years. A blood sample (10 ml) will be drawn 1 month after each vaccination to measure the immune response. Some of the blood drawn for this study will be stored and used for research purposes.

TEPVAC

Participants will have 10 ml of blood drawn to assess their baseline antibody levels. They will receive two vaccinations (tetanus and pneumococcus) 12 months after enrolling in ESPRIT and another two vaccinations 24 months after enrollment. A blood sample (10 ml) will be drawn 1 month after each vaccination to measure the immune response. Some of the blood drawn for this study will be stored and used for research purposes.