ABSTRACT
Introduction: Immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are implicated in herd immunity. Humoral response to vaccines in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is documented to be sub-optimal. However, the response to non-messenger RNA(mRNA) based vaccines in KTRs is not known Methods: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody response was assessed in KTRs using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Patients were characterized by the number of vaccine doses received and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in past. Result(s): Out of 224 KTRs evaluated, 197 (87.94%) had positive S1/S2 IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with a median [IQR] titre of 307.5 AU/ml [91 AU/ml - 400 AU/ml]. High titres (in neutralizing range) were found in 170/224 (75.9%) KTRs. Seropositivity rates after 2 doses of vaccination were significantly higher than unvaccinated KTRs (88.67% vs 66.7%;p = 0.006). After adjusting for cofounders, KTRs with diabetes at the time of vaccination were less likely to develop antibody response (aOR 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.10, 0.90;p = 0.032). Higher eGFR was also an independent predictor of antibody response (aOR 1.04 95% CI - 1.01, 1.08;p = 0.005). KTRs vaccinated with CovishieldTM developed higher antibody response as compared to CovaxinTM (aOR 5.04, 95% CI - 1.56, 16.22;p = 0.007). Conclusion(s): A high rate of seroconversion was seen in KTRs after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with non mRNA vaccines. The presence of diabetes and decreased eGFR independently predicted lower seroconversion rates. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023