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Transplant Graft TMA Injury Post COVID-19 Vaccination

O. Sogbein, A. Rizvi, M. Mujtaba, S. Hussain

Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 1727

Keywords: Adverse effects, COVID-19, Graft failure, Toxocity

Topic: Clinical Science » Kidney » 46 - Kidney Complications: Non-Immune Mediated Late Graft Failure

Session Information

Session Name: Kidney Complications: Non-Immune Mediated Late Graft Failure

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: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is essential. Complicating this effort are reports of a suboptimal response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in patients on immunosuppressive medications and possible thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in renal transplant patients who receive the mRNA type vaccines.

*Methods: 48 year old male with end stage renal disease who received a living unrelated transplant in 2015. Pre-operative creatinine was 10.42 mg/dL and decreased to 2.48 mg/dL within a week. Patient received Basiliximab induction and maintained on tacrolimus and mycophenolate (MMF). One month post-transplant patient was diagnosed with TMA. Tacrolimus was stopped and patient was switched to Sirolimus and continued on MMF. Patient was followed closely by transplant nephrology for the next 5 years with a baseline creatinine of 1.9 mg/dL, protein to creatinine ratio below 0.5 mg/mg and well controlled diabetes. No DSA Class I or II detected on regular testing. Patient was compliant with all prescribed medications. On January 25 2021 patient received Pfizer Vaccine. Second Pfizer vaccine administered on February 18 2021. A week later creatinine was noted to be 3.44 mg/dL. Repeat creatinine of 4.27 mg/dL. Biopsy revealed diffuse lymphocytic interstitial inflammation, peritubular capillaritis, and C4D negative. Findings consistent with chronic TMA. DSA testing revealed Class II DSA:DQ2 (SI-5933), Allosure 1.2 %. BK < 500 and CMV undetected. Patient received therapeutic plasma exchange, IV Ig infusion and steroids while on MMF and sirolimus. His creatinine decreased to 2.9 mg/dL on discharge. Over the next 6 months graft function deteriorated. He is now CKD stage 5 and under evaluation for a second transplant.

*Results: There are case reports of COVID-19 vaccine administration and transplant graft dysfunction. A possible mechanism involves the mRNA lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated platform producing such a robust CD4 and CD8 T-cell response that pro-inflammatory cytokines are activated or that immune complex associated glomerular disease occurs resulting in the development of TMA in susceptible patients.

*Conclusions: A possible link between SARS CoV-2 vaccination and kidney transplant TMA warrants the implementation of close surveillance of vaccinated transplant patients, particularly susceptible individuals. More research is needed to determine if this link exists.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Sogbein O, Rizvi A, Mujtaba M, Hussain S. Transplant Graft TMA Injury Post COVID-19 Vaccination [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/transplant-graft-tma-injury-post-covid-19-vaccination/. Accessed May 9, 2025.

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