Humoral and Cellular Immunity 6 Months After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients
1Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 2University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 4Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay, FL, 5University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL
Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 1625
Keywords: Antibodies, COVID-19, Immunosuppression, T cells
Topic: Clinical Science » Infection Disease » 24 - All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis)
Session Information
Session Name: All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis) IV
Session Type: Poster Abstract
Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Hynes Halls C & D
*Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long term humoral and cellular immunity generated following SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR).
*Methods: Patients included had an active graft of an organ transplant as an adult, a positive polymerase chain reaction nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 after transplant, and had not received convalescent plasma, vaccination, or monoclonal antibody for SARS-CoV-2. Whole blood was obtained 6 months (+/- 1 month) after infection. Serology measured IgG and IgM titer to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain, reported as signal/ cut-off ratio (s/co). CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell reactivity was measured by Activation Induced Marker assays following stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with SARS-CoV-2 peptide pools encompassing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
*Results: Of 25 subjects, 19 (76.0%) were hospitalized, 4 (16.0%) developed hypoxia, but none required mechanical ventilation. Biopsy-proven graft rejection occurred in 3 (12.0%), but none had graft loss. At 6 months, 8 (16%) had persistent symptoms and 2 (4.0%) were re-infected within one year. In the immunity study, 22 (88.0%) had reactive IgG testing and 11 (44.0%) had reactive IgM testing. Median IgG titer was 3.68 s/co (range 0.19-36.44) and IgM titer was 0.79 s/co (range 0.02-16.41). Virus-specific CD4+ T-cell reactivity was noted in 23 (92%), but only 10 (40.0%) had reactive CD8+ T-cell testing. Moderate correlation was observed between IgG and IgM titer (r=.51, p= 0.009) and between IgG titer and percent virus-specific CD4+ T-cells (r=.46, p=0.02). CD8+ T-cell reactivity was correlated with greater illness severity (p=0.043). Use of Tacrolimus, mycophenolate, or corticosteroids at time of infection was not associated with T-cell or antibody reactivity.
*Conclusions: In summary, this cohort of SOTR evaluated six months after non-critical COVID-19 illness demonstrated robust IgG and CD4+ T-cell responses, and CD8+ T-cell reactivity was correlated with higher disease severity.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Morris S, Courel S, Pallikkuth S, Pahwa S, Fernandez A, Anjan S, Guerra G, Alcaide M, Natori Y. Humoral and Cellular Immunity 6 Months After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/humoral-and-cellular-immunity-6-months-after-sars-cov-2-infection-in-solid-organ-transplant-recipients/. Accessed May 17, 2025.« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress