Seroprevalence of MMR and Varicella (MMRV) in Solid Organ Transplant Candidates and Seroresponse to MMRV Vaccinations
1Division of Infectious Diseases, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 2Div of Renal Disease, Univ of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 3Div of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, Univ of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 4Div of Transplant Hepatology, Univ of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 5Div of Immunology and Organ Transplantation, Univ of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX
Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 592
Keywords: Infection, N/A, Outcome, Vaccination
Topic: Administrative » Administrative » 01 - Quality Assurance Process Improvement & Regulatory Issues
Session Information
Session Name: Quality Assurance Process Improvement & Regulatory Issues
Session Type: Rapid Fire Oral Abstract
Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Session Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-6:10pm
Location: Hynes Room 206
*Purpose: Updating live vaccines such as MMR and varicella (MMRV) is an important step in preparing patients during the pre-solid organ transplant (SOT) period. While various regimens of MMRV are recommended by the CDC based on underlying patient conditions, AST guidelines recommend a single dose of each vaccine before SOT based on serological screening. Since data is scarce in the SOT population, we aim to describe the seroprevalence of MMRV and the efficacy of the vaccines in our center.
*Methods: Pre-SOT candidates were retrospectively identified from our SOT database. Patients more than 18 years of age who underwent pre-SOT screening were included. All serological data, including MMRV, basic demographic data, and ICD-9/10 codes were extracted. We identified 60 patients who received either MMR or Varicella (VZV) vaccines during the pre-transplant period. We evaluated patients’ serological responses and any adverse events after the vaccine.
*Results: A total of 1126 patients were identified. 351 patients (31.2%) did not have immunity to at least one of MMRV. The table below summarizes the basic characteristics of patients based on MMRV serologies at pre-SOT evaluation. Negative serologies against measles, mumps, rubella, and VZV were documented in 11.9, 14.6, 10.4, and 6.0 % of patients, respectively. 54 patients received the MMR vaccine while 13 patients received the VZV vaccine. Among patients who had follow-up serologies at least 4 weeks after an initial MMR vaccine, 30.8 % of patients (8/26) did not have serological response while 20% of patients (1/5) did not respond after an initial VZV vaccine. No patients experienced severe side effects requiring ED visit or hospitalization from the vaccines.
*Conclusions: A significant number of pre-SOT candidates (31.2%) were not immune to at least one of MMRV. Nearly 30% of patients who received MMRV vaccine did not have serological responses. This highlights the importance of MMRV screening and vaccinations during pre-SOT evaluation. Post-vaccination serological confirmation should be performed to evaluate the necessity for a second dose.
| MMRV positive N=774 | MMRV negative N=351 | |
| Age, year (Range) | 59 (19-79) | 51 (20-79) |
| Gender, Male N (%) | 476 (61.5) | 222 (63.2) |
| Type of Transplant | ||
| Kidney, N (%) | 422 (54.5) | 224 (63.8) |
| Heart, N (%) | 126 (16.3) | 55 (15.7) |
| Liver, N (%) | 163 (21.1) | 37 (10.5) |
| Lung, N (%) | 40 (5.2) | 15 (4.2) |
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Javaid H, Hasbun R, DeGolovine A, Jyothula S, Machicao V, Bynon J, Ostrosky L, Nigo M. Seroprevalence of MMR and Varicella (MMRV) in Solid Organ Transplant Candidates and Seroresponse to MMRV Vaccinations [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/seroprevalence-of-mmr-and-varicella-mmrv-in-solid-organ-transplant-candidates-and-seroresponse-to-mmrv-vaccinations/. Accessed May 30, 2025.« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress