SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Hemodialysis Patients Six Months after Infection Compared to Healthcare Workers. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boulanger, Henri; Saksi, Salima Ahriz; Achiche, Jedjiga; Batusanski, Florence; Stawiarski, Nicolas; Diddaoui, Ali; Fromentin, Luc; Chawki, Mokhtar
• Other Names: Scholze Alexandra Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of nephrology. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Nephrology -- Periodicals; Nephrology; Kidney Diseases; Nephrology; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Electronic journals; 616.61
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/4747221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-214X

Abstract

Abstract : Background . The humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in hemodialysis patients needs to be clarified. Methods . In this retrospective study performed in two dialysis facilities, we measured the circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis during the first wave of the epidemic in March and April 2020 and were still alive 6 months later. We also investigated associations between the patients diagnosed as infected during the first wave and several clinical, biological, and radiological parameters of COVID-19. Finally, we compared these circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with those of a control group of healthcare workers infected during the same period. Results . Of the 299 hemodialysis patients who recovered from the first wave of the epidemic 6 months before, 59 had a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody whereas only 45 patients were diagnosed as infected during the first wave of the epidemic. All infected hemodialysis patients developed circulating antibodies. Using a clustering method, a significant correlation was identified between the cluster with the lowest circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the severity of COVID-19 based on several parameters including CRP, BNP, lymphocyte count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and oxygen requirements, as well as pulmonary involvement on chest scan. Moreover, the circulating levels of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in surviving hemodialysis patients ( n = 59) were similar to those of the control group ( n = 17). Conclusion . The main finding of this study is that all of the surviving hemodialysis patients who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to April 2020 developed a persistent humoral response with significant circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 6 months later. Another important finding is that surviving hemodialysis patients who had more severe disease had lower circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Finally, circulating levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were similar in surviving hemodialysis patients and healthcare workers without kidney disease.