One clinical trial performed in the early 2000s tested whether addition of unmethylated CpG oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) to the hepatitis B vaccine improved immune responses in volunteer vaccinees. The normal vaccine consists of purified recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen protein mixed with alum. Half of the subjects received this original vaccine, and half received the original vaccine with added CpG ODN. The study found that individuals receiving the vaccine plus CpG ODN showed more rapid and robust antibody responses, and a trend toward enhanced CD8 cytotoxic T cell responses compared to the vaccine alone group. As expected, the group receiving the vaccine plus CpG ODN also: A) Reported more frequent side effects of flu-like symptoms, such as mild fever B) Showed an increased T_H17 response to the Hep B surface antigen C) Exhibited lower levels of type I interferon in their sera than the control group D) Had reduced numbers of activated dendritic cells in their blood E) Had similar proportions of the different antibody isotypes directed against Hep B surface antigen

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The addition of CpG ODN, which acts as an immune adjuvant, often leads to increased immune activation, which can result in more frequent side effects such as flu-like symptoms, including mild fever.

One Clinical Trial Performed in the Early 2000s Tested Whether