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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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Toledano JM, Puche-Juarez M, Moreno-Fernandez J, Ochoa JJ, Diaz-Castro J. Antioxidant and Immune-Related Implications of Minerals in COVID-19: A Possibility for Disease Prevention and Management. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051104. [PMID: 37237970 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051104] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic appeared, both governments and the scientific community have focused their efforts on the search for prophylactic and therapeutic alternatives in order to reduce its effects. Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been approved and administered, playing a key role in the overcoming of this situation. However, they have not reached the whole world population, and several doses will be needed in the future in order to successfully protect individuals. The disease is still here, so other strategies should be explored with the aim of supporting the immune system before and during the infection. An adequate diet is certainly associated with an optimal inflammatory and oxidative stress status, as poor levels of different nutrients could be related to altered immune responses and, consequently, an augmented susceptibility to infections and severe outcomes derived from them. Minerals exert a wide range of immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities, which may be useful for fighting this illness. Although they cannot be considered as a definitive therapeutic solution, the available evidence to date, obtained from studies on similar respiratory diseases, might reflect the rationality of deeper investigations of the use of minerals during this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Toledano
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María Puche-Juarez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Jorge Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Julio J Ochoa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Diaz-Castro
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (IBS), 18016 Granada, Spain
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