BNT162b2 vaccination in heart transplant recipients: Clinical experience and antibody response. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Data on the safety and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in immunocompromised populations are sparse. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 77 heart transplant (HT) recipients vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine and monitored for adverse events following both doses, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG response, and neutralizing antibodies. RESULTS: BNT162b2 vaccination was associated with a low rate of adverse events, characterized mostly by pain at the injection site. By a mean 41 days post second dose there were no clinical episodes of rejection, as suggested by a troponin leak or allograft dysfunction. At a mean 21 days following the second dose, IgG anti-RBD antibodies were detectable in 14 (18%) HT recipients. Immune sera neutralized SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-virus in 8 (57%) of those with IgG anti-RBD antibodies. Immunosuppressive regimen containing mycophenolic acid was associated with lower odds of an antibody response (OR = 0.12, p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Whether a longer time-frame for observation of an antibody response is required after vaccination in immunosuppressed individuals remains unknown.

authors

  • Peled, Yael
  • Ram, Eilon
  • Lavee, Jacob
  • Sternik, Leonid
  • Segev, Amit
  • Wieder-Finesod, Anat
  • Mandelboim, Michal
  • Indenbaum, Victoria
  • Levy, Itzchak
  • Raanani, Ehud
  • Lustig, Yaniv
  • Rahav, Galia

publication date

  • April 21, 2021

Research

keywords

  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Postoperative Complications

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC8058049

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85106610720

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.healun.2021.04.003

PubMed ID

  • 34034958

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 40

issue

  • 8