Effect of sleep deprivation on response to immunizaton [3]

Eleven subjects had their bedtime restricted to 4 hours (1-5 AM) for 6 nights and then extended to 12 hours per night for 7 nights to recover from sleep loss. Between 9:00 and 10:00 on the morning following the fourth short night, they were immunized against influenza. A second group of 14 subjects served as controls and maintained their usual bedtimes prior to receiving the same vaccine under the same conditions.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nResults: Ten days after vaccination, mean (SD) antibody titers in subjects who were immunized in a state of sleep debt were less than half those measured in the subjects with normal sleep times (0.50106 [0.46106] vs 1.15106 [1.00106], respectively; P=.03 by Mann-Whitney tes, see Figure. At 3 to 4 weeks after vaccination, antibody titers were no longer significantly different.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nSleep deprivation at the time of vaccination reduced the response during the log phase of antibody production despite a prolonged period of sleep recovery after vaccination.$\backslash$nBecause adults who show poorer responses to vaccines and other antigenic challenges also experience higher rates of clinical illness [ ref: McGlone and Aerden, 1987], our findings support the concept that adequate amounts of sleep are needed for optimal resistance to infectious challenge.$\backslash$n$\backslash$nImmune response$\backslash$n