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Du PX, Chang SS, Ho TS, Shih HC, Tsai PS, Syu GD. Humoral responses to multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants after two doses of vaccine in kidney transplant patients. Virulence 2024; 15:2351266. [PMID: 38717195 PMCID: PMC11085947 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2351266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of fatalities globally. Kidney transplant (KT) patients, given their comorbidities and under immunosuppressant drugs, are identified as a high-risk group. Though vaccination remains pivotal for pandemic control, some studies indicate that KT exhibits diminished immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Therefore, evaluating the vaccine responses in KT, especially the humoral responses against emergent variants is crucial.Methods: We developed a multiplexed SARS-CoV-2 variant protein microarray, incorporating the extracellular domain (ECD) and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike proteins from the variants. This was employed to investigate the collective humoral responses after administering two doses of mRNA-1273 and AZD1222 vaccines in KT under immunosuppressive drugs and in healthy controls.Results: After two doses of either mRNA-1273 or AZD1222, the KT generally showed lower surrogate neutralizing and total antibodies against spike ECD in multiple variants compared to healthy controls. Although two doses of mRNA-1273 induced 1.5-2 fold more surrogate neutralizing and total antibodies than AZD1222 in healthy controls, the KT subjects with two doses of mRNA-1273 generally exhibited higher surrogate neutralizing but similar total antibodies against spike ECD in multiple variants. There were moderate to high correlations between the surrogate neutralizing and total antibodies against spike ECDs.Conclusion: This study offers pivotal insights into the relative vulnerability of KT concerning humoral immunity and the evolving mutations of SARS-CoV-2. Such findings are useful for evaluating vaccine responses and recommending vaccine episodes for KT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Xian Du
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Shin Chang
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Shiann Ho
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Yunlin, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Dou-Liou Branch, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chang Shih
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Pei-Shan Tsai
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Da Syu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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2
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Viganò M, Beretta M, Lepore M, Abete R, Benatti SV, Grassini MV, Camagni S, Chiodini G, Vargiu S, Vittori C, Iachini M, Terzi A, Neri F, Pinelli D, Casotti V, Di Marco F, Ruggenenti P, Rizzi M, Colledan M, Fagiuoli S. Vaccination Recommendations in Solid Organ Transplant Adult Candidates and Recipients. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1611. [PMID: 37897013 PMCID: PMC10611006 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101611] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prevention of infections is crucial in solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates and recipients. These patients are exposed to an increased infectious risk due to previous organ insufficiency and to pharmacologic immunosuppression. Besides infectious-related morbidity and mortality, this vulnerable group of patients is also exposed to the risk of acute decompensation and organ rejection or failure in the pre- and post-transplant period, respectively, since antimicrobial treatments are less effective than in the immunocompetent patients. Vaccination represents a major preventive measure against specific infectious risks in this population but as responses to vaccines are reduced, especially in the early post-transplant period or after treatment for rejection, an optimal vaccination status should be obtained prior to transplantation whenever possible. This review reports the currently available data on the indications and protocols of vaccination in SOT adult candidates and recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Viganò
- Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy (S.F.)
| | - Marta Beretta
- Pulmonary Medicine Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.B.); (F.D.M.)
| | - Marta Lepore
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.L.); (P.R.)
| | - Raffaele Abete
- Cardiology Division, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy (C.V.)
| | - Simone Vasilij Benatti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (S.V.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Grassini
- Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy (S.F.)
- Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, PROMISE, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Camagni
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (S.C.); (F.N.); (D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Greta Chiodini
- Pulmonary Medicine Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.B.); (F.D.M.)
| | - Simone Vargiu
- Pulmonary Medicine Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.B.); (F.D.M.)
| | - Claudia Vittori
- Cardiology Division, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy (C.V.)
| | - Marco Iachini
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.L.); (P.R.)
| | - Amedeo Terzi
- Cardiothoracic Department, ASST Papa Giovanni XXII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy;
| | - Flavia Neri
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (S.C.); (F.N.); (D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Domenico Pinelli
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (S.C.); (F.N.); (D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Valeria Casotti
- Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy;
| | - Fabiano Di Marco
- Pulmonary Medicine Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.B.); (F.D.M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20158 Milan, Italy
| | - Piero Ruggenenti
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (M.L.); (P.R.)
- Department of Renal Medicine, Clinical Research Centre for Rare Diseases “Aldo e Cele Daccò”, Institute of Pharmacologic Research “Mario Negri IRCCS”, Ranica, 24020 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marco Rizzi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (S.V.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Michele Colledan
- Department of Organ Failure and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; (S.C.); (F.N.); (D.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy (S.F.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Milan Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
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3
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Lautem A, Boedecker-Lips SC, Schneider E, Runkel S, Feist C, Lang H, Weinmann-Menke J, Koch M. The Cellular and Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Messenger RNA Vaccines Is Significantly Better in Liver Transplant Patients Compared with Kidney Transplant Patients. Pathogens 2023; 12:910. [PMID: 37513757 PMCID: PMC10383075 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070910] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients after organ transplantation have impaired immune response after vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. So far, published studies have reported quite different response rates to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, ranging from 15-79% in liver and kidney transplant recipients. Up to one year after the first vaccine dose, we analyzed the humoral and cellular immune response of 21 liver transplant (LTX) patients after vaccination with mRNA vaccines compared with 28 kidney transplant (KTX) patients. We evaluated IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as well as SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells using an ELISpot assay that detected IFN-γ- and/or IL-2-expressing T cells. We found a cellular and/or humoral immune response in 100% of the LTX patients compared with 68% of the KTX patients. Antibody titers against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were significantly higher in the LTX group, and significantly more LTX patients had detectable specific IL-2-producing T cells. The immunosuppression applied in our LTX cohort was lower compared with the KTX cohort (14% triple therapy in LTX patients vs. 79% in KTX patients). One year after the first vaccination, breakthrough infections could be detected in 41% of all organ transplant patients. None of those patients suffered from a severe course of COVID-19 disease, indicating that a partial vaccination response seemed to offer protection to immunosuppressed patients. The better immune response of LTX patients after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination might be due to less intense immunosuppressive therapy compared with KTX patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Lautem
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Simone Cosima Boedecker-Lips
- Department of Nephrology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Elisa Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Runkel
- Blood Transfusion Center, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christina Feist
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hauke Lang
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Julia Weinmann-Menke
- Department of Nephrology, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Martina Koch
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, D 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Affeldt P, Koehler FC, Brensing KA, Gies M, Platen E, Adam V, Butt L, Grundmann F, Heger E, Hinrichs S, Kalisch N, Oehm S, Steger G, Wirtz M, Benzing T, Stippel D, Klein F, Kurschat C, Müller RU, Di Cristanziano V. Immune Response to Third and Fourth COVID-19 Vaccination in Hemodialysis Patients and Kidney Transplant Recipients. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122646. [PMID: 36560648 PMCID: PMC9785871 DOI: 10.3390/v14122646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a serious hazard for hemodialysis (HD) patients and kidney transplant (KTX) recipients as they suffer from an impaired immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In addition, a definition of SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer that indicates a sufficient immune response, especially against new omicron variants, is urgently needed. In the present study, the immune response to either a third or a fourth dose of a mRNA vaccine was investigated in 309 dialysis and 36 KTX patients. SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer thresholds indicating neutralizing activity against wild type (WT) and the omicron variant BA.1 were quantified. After four vaccine doses, a high-neutralizing activity against WT was evidenced in HD patients, whereas the neutralizing rate against BA.1 was significant lower. Concerning KTX recipients, humoral and cellular immune responses after a third vaccination were still highly impaired. This calls for modified omicron-targeting vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Affeldt
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Carlo Koehler
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- CECAD, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Martin Gies
- KfH-Nierenzentrum Köln-Longerich, 50737 Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Platen
- Nierenzentrum Eifel, 53894 Mechernich, Germany
| | - Vivien Adam
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Linus Butt
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- CECAD, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Franziska Grundmann
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Heger
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Steffen Hinrichs
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nils Kalisch
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Simon Oehm
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gertrud Steger
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Maike Wirtz
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Benzing
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- CECAD, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Stippel
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Kurschat
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- CECAD, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Roman-Ulrich Müller
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- CECAD, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence: (R.-U.M.); (V.D.C.); Tel.: +49-221-478-30966 (R.-U.M.); +49-221-478-85828 (V.D.C.)
| | - Veronica Di Cristanziano
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence: (R.-U.M.); (V.D.C.); Tel.: +49-221-478-30966 (R.-U.M.); +49-221-478-85828 (V.D.C.)
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Babel N, Hugo C, Westhoff TH. Vaccination in patients with kidney failure: lessons from COVID-19. Nat Rev Nephrol 2022; 18:708-723. [PMID: 35999285 PMCID: PMC9397175 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-022-00617-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Infection is the second leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Adequate humoral (antibody) and cellular (T cell-driven) immunity are required to minimize pathogen entry and promote pathogen clearance to enable infection control. Vaccination can generate cellular and humoral immunity against specific pathogens and is used to prevent many life-threatening infectious diseases. However, vaccination efficacy is diminished in patients with CKD. Premature ageing of the immune system and chronic systemic low-grade inflammation are the main causes of immune alteration in these patients. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 can have considerable detrimental effects in patients with CKD, especially in those with kidney failure. COVID-19 prevention through successful vaccination is therefore paramount in this vulnerable population. Although patients receiving dialysis have seroconversion rates comparable to those of patients with normal kidney function, most kidney transplant recipients could not generate humoral immunity after two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Importantly, some patients who were not able to produce antibodies still had a detectable vaccine-specific T cell response, which might be sufficient to prevent severe COVID-19. Correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 have not been established for patients with kidney failure, but they are urgently needed to enable personalized vaccination regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Babel
- Medical Department I, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany.
- Center for Translational Medicine and Immune Diagnostics Laboratory, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany.
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT) and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian Hugo
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, Universitätsklinikum, Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Timm H Westhoff
- Medical Department I, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
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Six-Month Follow-Up after Vaccination with BNT162b2: SARS-CoV-2 Antigen-Specific Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses in Hemodialysis Patients and Kidney Transplant Recipients. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11010067. [PMID: 35056015 PMCID: PMC8780885 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemodialysis patients (HDP) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have a high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 with poor clinical outcomes. Because of this, vaccination of these groups of patients against SARS-CoV-2 is particularly important. However, immune responses may be impaired in immunosuppressed and chronically ill patients. Here, our aim was to compare the efficacy of an mRNA-based vaccine in HDP, KTR, and healthy subjects. Design: In this prospective observational cohort study, the humoral and cellular response of prevalent 192 HDP, 50 KTR, and 28 healthy controls (HC) was assessed 1, 2, and 6 months after the first immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Results: After 6 months, 97.5% of HDP, 37.9% of KTR, and 100% of HC had an antibody response. Median antibody levels were 1539.7 (±3355.8), 178.5 (±369.5), and 2657.8 (±2965.8) AU/mL in HDP, KTR, and HC, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). A SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific cell response to vaccination was found in 68.8% of HDP, 64.5% of KTR, and 90% of HC. Conclusion: The humoral response rates to mRNA-based vaccination of HDPs are comparable to HCs, but antibody titers are lower. Furthermore, HDPs have weaker T-cell response to vaccination than HCs. KTRs have very low humoral and antigen-specific cellular response rates and antibody titers, which requires other vaccination strategies in addition to booster vaccination.
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Hou YC, Lu KC, Kuo KL. The Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplantation Patients: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:885. [PMID: 34452010 PMCID: PMC8402591 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic has posed a huge threat to global health because of its rapid spread and various mutant variants. Critical illness occurs in the elderly and vulnerable individuals, such as those with chronic kidney disease. The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with the severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD)and even kidney transplantation (KT) because of the chronic use of immunosuppressive agents. To develop adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2, vaccination against the spike protein is important. Current phase III trials of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have not focused on a specific group of individuals, such as patients with CKD or those undergoing dialysis or kidney transplantation. Chronic use of immunosuppressive agents might disturb the immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. On the basis of limited evidence, the immune compromised status of CKD patients might decrease neutralizing antibody development after a single dose of a specific vaccine. Boosting dosage more than the protocol might increase the titer of the neutralizing antibody in CKD patients. Further evidence is needed to understand the factors disturbing the immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and CKD patients should receive the recommended dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine due to their relatively immune compromised status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chou Hou
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Cardinal-Tien Hospital, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Lin Kuo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
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