Comparison of antibody response following the second dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in elderly patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease

Masatoshi Matsunami, Tomo Suzuki, Junko Fukuda, Toshiki Terao, Kohei Ukai, Shinnosuke Sugihara, Takumi Toishi, Kanako Nagaoka, Mayumi Nakata, Mamiko Ohara, Jun Yashima, Hiroshi Kuji, Kosei Matsue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Currently, it is unclear whether the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) could be an independent predictor of antibody response after administration of a COVID-19 vaccine. This study aimed to investigate the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with CKD stage G4 to G5 without renal replacement therapy and G5D using the recommended dose and schedule. Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study evaluated immunogenicity regarding antibody response after COVID-19 vaccination in our hospital for late-stage CKD patients aged ≥ 60 years. We evaluated antibody responses in 48 patients with CKD G4, 35 patients with CKD G5, and 70 patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD; CKD G5D). Results: After the second vaccination, anti-SARS-CoV-2-S (Spike) IgG levels were found to be positive (> 0.8 U/mL) in all CKD G4 and G5 patients (100%), and 69 of 70 HD patients (98.5%). The median (interquartile range [IQR] S-IgG level (Ab titers) was 358 [130.2–639.2], 218 [117–377], and 185.5 [95.1–323.5] U/mL in the CKD G4, G5, and HD groups, respectively. The median S-IgG levels were significantly lower in the HD group than in the CKD G4 group (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the antibody titers between the CKD G4 and G5 groups. To further analyze the decline in S-IgG levels after 6 months, we additionally assessed and compared antibody titers at 1 month and 6 months after the second vaccination in the HD group. Compared with the median S-IgG levels of 185.5 [95.1–323.5] U/mL 1 month after the second dose, the median S-IgG level 6 months thereafter was significantly decreased at 97.4 [62.5–205.5] U/mL (p < 0.05). Conclusions: We highlight two major factors of variability in the vaccine response. First, in elderly patients with late-stage CKD, antibody titers tended to be lower in the G5D group than in the G4 and G5 groups despite the shorter time since vaccination; therefore, CKD stage progression might cause a decline in antibody titers. Second, waning immune responses were observed 6 months after second dose administration in HD patients advocating a potential need for a third booster dose vaccine after 6 months.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13
JournalRenal Replacement Therapy
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COVID-19
  • Elderly patients
  • Hemodialysis
  • SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody
  • Vaccination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology
  • Urology
  • Transplantation

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