Risk of strong antibody decline in dialysis and transplant patients after SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination: Six months data from the observational Dia-Vacc study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Julian Stumpf - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Jörg Schwöbel - , Dialysezentrum Chemnitz (Author)
  • Tom Lindner - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • Leona Anders - , Dialysepraxis Leipzig (Author)
  • Torsten Siepmann - , Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH (Author)
  • Claudia Karger - , Klinikum St. Georg Leipzig (Author)
  • Jan Hüther - , Nephrocare GmbH Döbeln (Author)
  • Heike Martin - , Heinrich-Braun-Klinikum gGmbH (Author)
  • Petra Müller - , PHV Dialysezentrum Dresden-Johannstadt (Author)
  • Robert Faulhaber-Walter - , Nephrologisches Zentrum Freiberg (Author)
  • Torsten Langer - , Dialysezentrum Annaberg (Author)
  • Holger Schirutschke - , Municipal Hospital Dresden (Author)
  • Thomas Stehr - , KfH-Nierenzentrum Bautzen (Author)
  • Frank Meistring - , KfH-Nierenzentrum am Städtischen Klinikum Görlitz (Author)
  • Annegret Pietzonka - , Via medis Nierenzentrum Dresden MVZ GmbH (Author)
  • Kirsten Anding-Rost - , KfH-Nierenzentrum Bischofswerda (Author)
  • Katja Escher - , KfH-Gesundheitszentrum Aue (Author)
  • Frank Pistrosch - , Nephrologisches Zentrum Hoyerswerda (Author)
  • Jens Schewe - , Dialyse- und Nierenambulanz Sebnitz (Author)
  • Harald Seidel - , KfH-Nierenzentrum am Vogtland Krankenhaus Plauen (Author)
  • Kerstin Barnett - , Dialyse Heidenau (Author)
  • Thilo Pluntke - , KfH-Nierenzentrum Grimma (Author)
  • Simon Cerny - , ELBLAND Dialyse Großenhain (Author)
  • Alexander Paliege - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Ingolf Bast - , Dialysepraxis Leipzig (Author)
  • Anne Steglich - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Florian Gembardt - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Friederike Kessel - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Hannah Kröger - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Patrick Arndt - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Jan Sradnick - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)
  • Kerstin Frank - , DRK Blutspendendienst Nord Ost gGmbH (Author)
  • Anna Klimova - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • René Mauer - , Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry (Author)
  • Xina Grählert - , Coordination Centre for Clinical Studies Dresden (KKS-DD) (Author)
  • Torsten Tonn - , Department of internal Medicine I (Author)
  • Christian Hugo - , Department of internal Medicine 3 (Author)

Abstract

Background: Vulnerable dialysis and kidney transplant patients show impaired seroconversion rates compared to medical personnel eight weeks after SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination. Methods: We evaluated six months follow up data in our observational Dia-Vacc study exploring specific cellular (interferon-γ release assay) or/and humoral immune responses after 2x SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination in 1205 participants including medical personnel (125 MP), dialysis patients (970 DP) and kidney transplant recipients (110 KTR) with seroconversion (de novo IgA or IgG antibody positivity by ELISA) after eight weeks. Findings: Six months after vaccination, seroconversion remained positive in 98% of MP, but 91%/87% of DP/KTR (p = 0·005), respectively. Receptor binding domain-IgG (RBD-IgG) antibodies were positive in 98% of MP, but only 68%/57% of DP/KTR (p < 0·001), respectively. Compared to MP, DP and KTR were at risk for a strong IgG or RBD-IgG decline (p < 0·001). Within the DP but not KTR group male gender, peritoneal dialysis, short time on dialysis, BNT162b2mRNA vaccine, immunosuppressive drug use and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for a strong decline of IgG or RBD antibodies. The percentage of cellular immunity decline was similar in all groups. Interpretation: Both vulnerable DP and KTR groups are at risk for a strong decline for IgG and RBD antibodies. In KTR, antibody titres peak at a markedly lower level and accelerated antibody decline is mixed with a delayed/increasing IgG, RBD-IgG, or cellular immune response in a 16% fraction of patients. In both populations, immune monitoring should be used for early timing of additional booster vaccinations. Funding: This study was funded by the Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung, Bad Homburg v. d. H., grant number Fördervertrag EKFS 2021_EKSE.27.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number100371
Number of pages18
JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Volume17
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

WOS 000796373200003
ORCID /0000-0003-2739-345X/work/142239598
ORCID /0000-0002-1507-8009/work/142241671

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Antibody fading, Dialysis patients, Kidney transplant recipients, Medical personnel, SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination