Humoral and Cellular Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Convalescent COVID-19 Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Issue 2 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zabalza, Ana; Arrambide, Georgina; Tagliani, Paula; Cárdenas-Robledo, Simón; Otero-Romero, Susana; Esperalba, Juliana; Fernandez-Naval, Candela; Trocoli Campuzano, Jesus; Martínez Gallo, Mónica; Castillo, Mireia; Bonastre, Mercè; Resina Sallés, Mireia; Beltran, Jordina; Carbonell-Mirabent, Pere; Rodríguez-Barranco, Marta; López-Maza, Samuel; Melgarejo Otálora, Pedro José; Ruiz-Ortiz, Mariano; Pappolla, Agustin; Rodríguez Acevedo, Breogán; Midaglia, Luciana; Vidal-Jordana, Angela; Cobo-Calvo, Alvaro; Tur, Carmen; Galán, Ingrid; Castilló, Joaquín; Río, Jordi; Espejo, Carmen; Comabella, Manuel; Nos, Carlos; Sastre-Garriga, Jaume; Tintore, Mar; Montalban, Xavier;
• Is Part Of: Neurology. Volume 9:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Neuroimmunology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000001143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2332-7812

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Objectives: Information about humoral and cellular responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and antibody persistence in convalescent (COVID-19) patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is scarce. The objectives of this study were to investigate factors influencing humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 and its persistence in convalescent COVID-19 PwMS. Methods: This is a retrospective study of confirmed COVID-19 convalescent PwMS identified between February 2020 and May 2021 by SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. We examined relationships between demographics, MS characteristics, disease-modifying therapy (DMT), and humoral (immunoglobulin G against spike and nucleocapsid proteins) and cellular (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]) responses to SARS-CoV-2. Results: A total of 121 (83.45%) of 145 PwMS were seropositive, and 25/42 (59.5%) presented a cellular response up to 13.1 months after COVID-19. Anti–CD20-treated patients had lower antibody titers than those under other DMTs ( p < 0.001), but severe COVID-19 and a longer time from last infusion increased the likelihood of producing a humoral response. IFN-γ levels did not differ among DMT. Five of 7 (71.4%) anti-–CD20-treated seronegative patients had a cellular response. The humoral response persisted for more than 6 months in 41/56(81.13%) PwMS. In multivariate analysis, seropositivity decreased due to anti-CD20 therapy (OR 0.08 [95% CI 0.01–0.55]) and increased in males (OR 3.59 [1.02–12.68]), whereas the cellular response decreased in those with progressive disease (OR 0.04 [0.001–0.88]). No factors were associated with antibody persistence. Discussion: Humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 are present in COVID-19 convalescent PwMS up to 13.10 months after COVID-19. The humoral response decreases under anti-CD20 treatment, although the cellular response can be detected in anti–CD20-treated patients, even in the absence of antibodies.