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Yu B, Tamargo C, Brennan DC, Kant S. Measures to Increase Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1755. [PMID: 38140160 PMCID: PMC10748337 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose of review: To review the data on the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines, administered by different strategies, in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). Recent findings: COVID-19 booster vaccines were given to SOTRs as a widespread practice in many transplant centers, mostly as the third and/or fourth dose in an extended vaccine series, with a significantly improved humoral response compared with the initial two-dose scheme. However, one-third of SOTRs remained unresponsive, despite these boosters. Next steps: Vaccination with standard dosing remains the most feasible strategy for attaining protection against COVID-19. Additional booster doses and temporarily holding or reducing mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid may provide immunogenicity to vaccines, according to recent studies demonstrating some efficacy with these measures. Preexposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies showed benefit in immunocompromised patients but is no longer recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) due to diminished efficacy against Omicron and recent variants. Screening for the presence and titers of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in SOTRs is not recommended in most clinical settings. T cell-based techniques are needed to evaluate vaccine efficacy and risk of infection. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, new vaccines based on conservative protein component/complexes of the COVID virus, in addition to its spike protein, are warranted to offer prolonged protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yu
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Christina Tamargo
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Daniel C. Brennan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sam Kant
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Udomkarnjananun S, Gatechompol S, Leelahavanichkul A, Kerr SJ. Cellular immune response of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1220148. [PMID: 37575225 PMCID: PMC10415203 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1220148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence has demonstrated inferior humoral immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population. However, data on cellular immune responses in this population have not been established. Methods We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases and included studies reporting cellular immune response rates in kidney transplant recipients after receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Studies that reported factors associated with cellular immune responders or non-responders were also included (PROSPERO: CRD42022375544). Results From a total of 1,494 articles searched, 53 articles were included in the meta-analysis. In all, 21 studies assessed cellular immune response by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (IFN-γ ELISPOT), 22 studies used interferon-γ release assay (IGRA), and 10 studies used flow cytometric analysis. The pooled response rate after two doses (standard regimen) and three doses of vaccination was 47.5% (95%CI 38.4-56.7%) and 69.1% (95%CI 56.3-80.6%) from IFN-γ ELISPOT, 25.8% (95%CI 19.7-32.4%) and 14.7% (95%CI 8.5-22.2%) from IGRA, and 73.7% (95%CI 55.2-88.8%) and 86.5% (95%CI 75.3-94.9%) from flow cytometry, respectively. Recipients with seroconversion were associated with a higher chance of having cellular immune response (OR 2.58; 95%CI 1.89-3.54). Cellular immune response in kidney transplant recipients was lower than in dialysis patients (OR 0.24; 95%CI 0.16-0.34) and the general population (OR 0.10; 95%CI 0.07-0.14). Age and immunosuppressants containing tacrolimus or corticosteroid were associated with inferior cellular immune response. Conclusion Cellular immune response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients was lower than in dialysis patients and the general population. Age, tacrolimus, and corticosteroid were associated with poor response. Cellular immune response should also be prioritized in vaccination studies. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022375544.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwasin Udomkarnjananun
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Excellence Center for Organ Transplantation (ECOT), King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Renal Immunology and Transplantation Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Center of Excellence on Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Department of Microbiology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Immunology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Stephen J. Kerr
- HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
- Biostatistics Excellence Centre, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Long J, Soni M, Muranski P, Miller MJ, Conry-Cantilena C, De Giorgi V. Case Report: Kinetics and durability of humoral and cellular response of SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA vaccine in a lung and kidney transplant recipient. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207638. [PMID: 37465681 PMCID: PMC10350526 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a case report of a 63-year-old female health care worker who is 15 years status post double lung transplant and six years status post living related donor kidney transplant who is healthy on a chronic immunosuppression regimen including prednisone, mycophenolate, and tacrolimus who received the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2) primary series and had poor initial humoral response to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, then demonstrated a robust, sustained immune response against S1 and S2 antigens for over seven months after receiving the recommended vaccine doses, including booster dose, without developing COVID-19 or other serious adverse events. Her immune response to vaccination indicates effective formation of anti-spike T cell memory despite chronic immunosuppression. This case report provides a comprehensive characterization of her immune response to this SARS-CoV-2 vaccination series. As vaccine effectiveness data is updated, and as better understanding of immune response including hybrid immunity emerges, these findings may reassure that recipients of SOTs may be capable of durable immune responses to emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Long
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mithil Soni
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pawel Muranski
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maureen J. Miller
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cathleen Conry-Cantilena
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Valeria De Giorgi
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Simone S, Pesce F, Fontò G, Pronzo V, Pontrelli P, Conserva F, Schirinzi A, Casanova A, Gallo P, Rossini M, Lucarelli G, Spilotros M, Rendina M, Stallone G, Di Serio F, Di Leo A, Tafuri S, Ditonno P, Gesualdo L. Kinetics of humoral immune response and severity of infection after three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in a large cohort of kidney transplant recipients. J Nephrol 2023; 36:1663-1671. [PMID: 37458909 PMCID: PMC10393874 DOI: 10.1007/s40620-023-01650-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this study we aimed to evaluate: (i) the seroconversion rate after BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, (ii) factors associated with humoral response, (iii) clinical outcome of COVID-19 in kidney transplanted patients. METHODS We enrolled a cohort of 743 kidney transplant recipients followed up from March 2020 until April 2022. A subset of 336 patients, who received three-doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, was analyzed in terms of kinetics of humoral immune response and compared to a control group of 94 healthcare workers. Antibody response was tested before vaccination (T0), 15 and 90 days after the second dose (T1 and T2), on the day of the third dose (T3) and one month after the third dose (T4). RESULTS We observed that 66 out of 743 subjects had COVID-19 infection pre-vaccination: 65.2% had severe symptoms, 27.3% were hospitalized (9 deaths), none were asymptomatic. After three doses, 51 patients had COVID-19 infection, 60.8% were asymptomatic, 27.5% reported mild symptoms, 3.9% showed severe symptoms, 7.8% were hospitalized (2 deaths). In the subset of 336 vaccinated patients, an antibody level > 0.8 U/ml was detected at T1, that increased at T2 and T3, peaking at T4. Independent factors associated with a negative antibody titer at T4 were decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate, time from transplantation, and antimetabolites (all p < 0.001) and age (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS The kinetics of humoral response after three doses of vaccine in kidney transplant patients is characterized by a late but effective immune response against SARS-CoV-2, reducing morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Simone
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Pesce
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Fontò
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Virginia Pronzo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Pontrelli
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Conserva
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Casanova
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gallo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Rossini
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucarelli
- Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Spilotros
- Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Rendina
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Stallone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Renal Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Alfredo Di Leo
- Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Ditonno
- Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
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