SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Responses in Individuals with Antibody Deficiency: Findings from the COV-AD Study

COV-AD consortium, Adrian M. Shields*, Sian E. Faustini, Harriet J. Hill, Saly Al-taei, Chloe Tanner, Fiona Ashford, Sarita Workman, Fernando Moreira, Nisha Verma, Hollie Wagg, Gail Heritage, Naomi Campton, Zania Stamataki, Paul Klenerman, James E. D. Thaventhiran, Sarah Goddard, Sarah Johnston, Aarnoud Huissoon, Claire BethuneSuzanne Elcombe, David M. Lowe, Smita Y. Patel, Sinisa Savic, Siobhan O. Burns, Alex G. Richter

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Background: Vaccination prevents severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in the general population. The immunogenicity and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with antibody deficiency is poorly understood. Objectives: COVID-19 in patients with antibody deficiency (COV-AD) is a multi-site UK study that aims to determine the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in patients with primary or secondary antibody deficiency, a population that suffers from severe and recurrent infection and does not respond well to vaccination. Methods: Individuals on immunoglobulin replacement therapy or with an IgG less than 4 g/L receiving antibiotic prophylaxis were recruited from April 2021. Serological and cellular responses were determined using ELISA, live-virus neutralisation and interferon gamma release assays. SARS-CoV-2 infection and clearance were determined by PCR from serial nasopharyngeal swabs. Results: A total of 5.6% (n = 320) of the cohort reported prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, but only 0.3% remained PCR positive on study entry. Seropositivity, following two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, was 54.8% (n = 168) compared with 100% of healthy controls (n = 205). The magnitude of the antibody response and its neutralising capacity were both significantly reduced compared to controls. Participants vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were more likely to be seropositive (65.7% vs. 48.0%, p = 0.03) and have higher antibody levels compared with the AstraZeneca vaccine (IgGAM ratio 3.73 vs. 2.39, p = 0.0003). T cell responses post vaccination was demonstrable in 46.2% of participants and were associated with better antibody responses but there was no difference between the two vaccines. Eleven vaccine-breakthrough infections have occurred to date, 10 of them in recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines demonstrate reduced immunogenicity in patients with antibody deficiency with evidence of vaccine breakthrough infection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)923-934
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Clinical Immunology
Volume42
Issue number5
Early online date14 Apr 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • CVID
  • Inborn errors of immunity
  • Primary immunodeficiency
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Secondary immunodeficienc
  • Vaccination
  • Secondary immunodeficiency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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