COVID-19 vaccine jabs won't increase immunity in organ transplant patients: Study

A new study published in Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) reveals that people who have h organ transplants remain vulnerable to dely COVID-19 infections even after second dose of vaccine. Led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in United States, study concluded that in contrast to immunocompetent participants in vaccine trials, a proportion as low as 17 per cent of solid organ transplant recipients mounted a positive antibody response to first dose of SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. However, for those receiving anti–metabolite maintenance immunosuppression were less likely to respond. As a part of study, researchers assessed antibody response after second dose. Johns Hopkins Medicine research team includes William Werbel, Robin Avery, Aaron Tobian, Allan Massie and Jacqueline Garonzik-Wang.

COVID jabs in transplant patients 

transplant recipients without prior polymerase chain reaction (PCR), who confirmed COVID-19 were recruited from across US in order to participate in this prospective cohort through a digital campaign. Also, those who completed 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine series between December 16, 2020, and March 13, 2021, were included and followed up through April 13, 2021. As a part of process. proportion of patients who developed a positive antibody response were assessed with an exact binomial confidence interval. analyses were performed using Stata 16.1/Windows. 

Study le author Brian Boyarsky, MD, a surgery resident at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said, "While re was an increase in those with detectable antibodies -- 54 per cent overall -- after second shot, number of transplant recipients in our second study whose antibody levels reached high enough levels to ward off a SARS-CoV-2 infection was still well below what's typically seen in people with healthy immune systems". He ded, "Based on our findings, we recommend that transplant recipients and or immunocompromised patients continue to practice strict Covid-19 safety precautions, even after vaccination".

Also, in as long as humoral response is concerned, majority h detectable antibody responses after second dose. participants without a response after dose 1 h low antibody levels. Poor humoral response was associated with use of antimetabolite immunosuppression.

As a part of study, 658 transplant recipients who received 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine were observed. Also, first-dose results of 396 of se recipients were previously reported. It n came forward that at a median of 21 (18-25) days after dose 1, antibody was detectable in 98 participants, which was 15 per cent of total. At a median of 29 (28-31) days after dose 2, antibody was detectable in 357 participants, which was 54 per cent. 

Among 473 participants who received antimetabolites, 38 participants h antibody response after dose 1 and dose 2. 268 h no antibody response after dose 1 or dose 2, and 167 h no antibody response after dose 1 but subsequent antibody after dose 2. Among 185 participants not receiving antimetabolites, 60 h antibody response after dose 1 and dose 2. Also, 33 h no antibody response after dose 1 or dose 2, and 92 h no antibody response after dose 1 but subsequent antibody after dose 2.

IMAGE: PTI