Immunity After Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in Lung Transplant?

Transplant Proc. 2022 Nov;54(9):2479-2481. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2022.09.001. Epub 2022 Sep 23.

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV2 infection causes high morbidity and mortality in lung transplant (LT) recipients. Vaccination with messenger RNA vaccines has been shown to play a key role in controlling the severity of infection in the general population. The aim of our study is to analyze whether vaccination with 2 doses of SARS-Cov2 provides immunity in LT recipients.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive and analytical study of LT recipients vaccinated with 2 doses of SARS-CoV2. We analyzed the vaccine received, if they had COVID-19, antibody levels (antispike and antinucleoprotein), anticalcineurin levels, infections in the last year, and presence of neoplasias.

Results: The most commonly administered vaccine was from Moderna, with 27% of patients showing immunity with a median antibody levels of 4.81 binding antibody units/mL, far from the values considered protective (> 34 binding antibody units/mL). Thirteen patients were infected with SARS-CoV2, 7 post vaccination (5 of them were antispike-positive). No relationship was demonstrated between generation of immunity and age and level of immunosuppression.

Conclusions: Vaccination against SARS-CoV2 in LT recipients generates limited and ineffective immunity with only 2 doses.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • RNA, Viral
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Transplant Recipients
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Antibodies, Viral