ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

High TTV Load Before First Vaccine Dose is Associated with Poor Serological Response to Covid-19 Vaccination in Lung Transplant Recipients

C. C. Van Leer Buter1, R. A. Hoek2, E. A. Verschuuren3, R. D. de Vries4, D. van Baarle1, M. van der Heiden1, H. G. Niesters1, C. GeurtsvanKessel4

1Dept. of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 2Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 3Dept. of Pulmonary Diseases,, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, 4Dept. of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 1536

Keywords: COVID-19, Immunosuppression, Lung transplantation, Vaccination

Topic: Basic Science » Basic Clinical Science » 17 - Biomarkers: Clinical Outcomes

Session Information

Session Name: Biomarkers: Clinical Outcomes

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: Torque tenovirus (TTV), a highly prevalent virus which is not known to cause pathology in humans, is currently being investigated as a marker of immunosuppression. In this study we investigated if the TTV load measured prior to COVID-19 vaccination can predict the serological response to the COVID-19 vaccine, measured 28 days after the second vaccination dose.

*Methods: The humoral response to the mRNA 1273 vaccine (Moderna) was assessed in Lung transplant recipients (LTR) who received a transplant between 4 and 237 months prior, by measuring Spike-specific IgG levels at 28 days after the second vaccination. Antibody concentrations of >10 BAU/ml were considered reactive. TTV loads were determined by PCR and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to correlate serological responses to TTV load. Patient characteristics, including reasons for transplantation, antirejection treatment, age and time since transplantation, were recorded to assess associations between these factors and vaccination response or TTV levels.

*Results: 103 LTR were included of which 41 (40%) showed some response (>10 BAU/ml) to the vaccine at 28 days after the second vaccination. 61 (60%) were non-responders. TTV loads at baseline varied between negative and 10E9 copies/ml. The TTV loads were found to correlate with IgG levels and the with the percentage of responders 28 days after the second vaccination (=<0.001). TTV loads also correlated strongly with the time since transplantation. High TTV levels occurred predominantly in patients who were shorter after transplantation (p=0.0001).

*Conclusions: This study shows an association between pre-vaccination TTV load and humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which correlate with the time after transplantation. We recommend that TTV load measurements are included in further vaccination efficacy studies in immunocompromised cohorts. If the TTV load is indeed a predictor of vaccine response, this could be used as a potential guidance for optimizing vaccination response.

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Hoek RA, Verschuuren EA, Vries RDde, Baarle Dvan, Heiden Mvander, Niesters HG, GeurtsvanKessel C. High TTV Load Before First Vaccine Dose is Associated with Poor Serological Response to Covid-19 Vaccination in Lung Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/high-ttv-load-before-first-vaccine-dose-is-associated-with-poor-serological-response-to-covid-19-vaccination-in-lung-transplant-recipients/. Accessed May 30, 2025.

« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences