Impaired dendritic cell maturation in response to pandemic H1N109 influenza virus

Abstract

Background: Infection with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus led to hospitalisation of patients not expected to be at risk of severe disease from seasonal influenza infection. Objectives: We sought to establish whether (i) DC maturation was compromised in patients experiencing severe pandemic influenza infection, (ii) the pandemic virus differed from seasonal influenza virus in its ability to induce DC maturation and (iii) there was an associated inability to activate memory B cells or induce antibody. Study design: Peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMCs) cells were sampled from individuals with confirmed acute pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza infection or from healthy vaccinated controls. DCs..