Immunogenicity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection and Ad26.CoV2.S Vaccination in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). (10th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Khadija; Lustig, Gila; Bernstein, Mallory; Archary, Derseree; Cele, Sandile; Karim, Farina; Smith, Muneerah; Ganga, Yashica; Jule, Zesuliwe; Reedoy, Kajal; Miya, Yoliswa; Mthabela, Ntombifuthi; Magula, Nombulelo P; Lessells, Richard; de Oliveira, Tulio; Gosnell, Bernadett I; Abdool Karim, Salim; Garrett, Nigel; Hanekom, Willem; Bekker, Linda-Gail; Gray, Glenda; Blackburn, Jonathan M; Moosa, Mahomed-Yunus S; Sigal, Alex
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 75:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: e857
• Page End: e864
• Publication Date: 2021-12-10
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- Ad26.CoV2.S vaccines -- immunogenicity -- neutralization -- HIV viremia; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab1008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have been reported to have a higher risk of more severe COVID-19 disease and death. We assessed the ability of the Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine to elicit neutralizing activity against the Delta variant in PLWH relative to HIV-negative individuals. We also examined effects of HIV status and suppression on Delta neutralization response in SARS-CoV-2—infected unvaccinated participants. Methods: We enrolled participants who were vaccinated through the SISONKE South African clinical trial of the Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs). PLWH in this group had well-controlled HIV infection. We also enrolled unvaccinated participants previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Neutralization capacity was assessed by a live virus neutralization assay of the Delta variant. Results: Most Ad26.CoV2.S vaccinated HCWs were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. In this group, Delta variant neutralization was 9-fold higher compared with the infected-only group and 26-fold higher relative to the vaccinated-only group. No decrease in Delta variant neutralization was observed in PLWH relative to HIV-negative participants. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2—infected, unvaccinated PLWH showed 7-fold lower neutralization and a higher frequency of nonresponders, with the highest frequency of nonresponders in people with HIV viremia. Vaccinated-only participants showed low neutralization capacity. Conclusions: The neutralization response of the Delta variant following Ad26.CoV2.S vaccination in PLWH with well-controlled HIV was not inferior to HIV-negative participants, irrespective of past SARS-CoV-2 infection. In SARS-CoV-2—infected and nonvaccinated participants, HIV infection reduced the neutralization response to SARS-CoV-2, with the strongest reduction in HIV viremic individuals. Abstract : Ad26.CoV2.S vaccination of people living with well controlled HIV leads to a non-inferior SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant neutralization. In contrast, previously SAR-CoV-2–infected people living with HIV have lower Delta neutralization capacity, which decreases with HIV viremia relative to HIV-negative individuals.