Humoral and T-cell mediated response after administration of mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in frail populations. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campagna, Roberta; Mazzuti, Laura; Guerrizio, Giuliana; Nonne, Chiara; Migliara, Giuseppe; De Vito, Corrado; Mezzaroma, Ivano; Chiaretti, Sabina; Fimiani, Caterina; Pistolesi, Valentina; Morabito, Santo; Turriziani, Ombretta
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 12(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Vaccine -- SARS-CoV-2 -- HIV -- Hemodialysis -- Humoral response -- T-cell response
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2590-1362

Abstract

Abstract: Patients with frailty are considered to be at greater risk to get severe infection from SARS-CoV-2. One of the most effective strategies is vaccination. In our study we evaluated both the humoral immune response elicited by the vaccination at different time points, and the T -cell response in terms of interferon (IFN)-γ production in frail patients and healthy donors. Fifty-seven patients (31 patients undergoing hemodialysis and 26 HIV positive subjects) and 39 healthcare workers were enrolled. All participants received two doses of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2. Healthcare workers showed a significantly higher antibody titer than patients twenty-one days after the first dose (p < 0.001). From the same time point we observed for both groups a decay of the antibody levels with a steeper slope of decline in the patients group. Regarding T -cell response the only significant difference between non-reactive and reactive subjects was found in median antibody levels, higher in the responders group than in non-responders. The healthcare workers seem to better respond to the vaccination in terms of antibodies production; the lack of T -cell response in about 50% of the participants seems to suggest that in our study population both humoral and cell-mediated response decline over time remarking the importance of the booster doses, particularly for frail patients.