COVID-19 Vaccination Response in Kidney Transplant Recipients Shows Limited Humoral Immune Response

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan, have conducted a study to evaluate the humoral response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, found that the mortality rate due to COVID-19 in KTRs is 16.8 to 32% and that vaccination against COVID-19 is expected to contribute to the prevention of infection, severe disease, and mortality. However, the study found that the humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in KTRs is poor, with only 45 (47.9%) patients positive for anti-spike antibodies and a median anti-S SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers of 35.3.

Key Takeaways:

  • The mortality rate due to COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is 16.8 to 32%.
  • Vaccination against COVID-19 is expected to contribute to the prevention of infection, severe disease, and mortality in KTRs.
  • However, the humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in KTRs is poor, with only 45 (47.9%) patients positive for anti-spike antibodies.
  • The median anti-S SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers in KTRs was 35.3, indicating a limited humoral immune response.
  • The study found that additional large observational studies and meta-analyses are needed to clarify the factors related to an appropriate humoral immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.
  • The BNT162b2 vaccine and mRNA-1,273 vaccine were compared in KTRs regarding humoral response, with the superiority of one vaccine over the other being controversial.
  • The study included 94 KTRs who were administered a second dose of the BNT162b2 or mRNA-1,273 vaccines and had their anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels measured 5 months later.

Statistics:

  • The mortality rate due to COVID-19 in KTRs is 16.8 to 32%.
  • Only 45 (47.9%) patients out of 94 KTRs were positive for anti-spike antibodies.
  • The median anti-S SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers in KTRs was 35.3 (Interquartile range 3.8 to 159.7).
  • The anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in all patients were not reported.

Sources:

  • Long-Term Humoral Response After a Second Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine in Japanese Kidney Transplant Recipients. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2022;13:922042.
  • Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
  • Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.