Unexpectedly High Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine in Liver versus Kidney Transplant Recipients—Is It Related to Immunosuppression Only?

Abstract

The BNT162b2 vaccine is reportedly effective in preventing severe disease in more than 90% of the general population, but its efficacy in transplant recipients remains controversial. We aimed to determine the immune response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in kidney (KTRs) and liver transplant recipients (LTRs). In this retrospective cohort study, we included randomly 65 KTRs and 65 LTRs, who received two 30 μg doses of BNT162b2 vaccine in 3-to6-week intervals. We analyzed the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody (anti-S1 Ab) titer, biochemical liver and renal tests, immunosuppressive drug trough level, and clinical follow up 4–6 weeks after the first dose and 4–8 weeks after the second dose. The level of protective antibodies was 57.1% in KTRs and 88.9% in LTRs after the second dose. The anti-S1 Ab response was significantly associated with sex, age, and history of COVID-19. A tacrolimus dose at vaccination but not its trough level was significantly correlated with the increase in anti-S1 Ab titer after the second vaccine dose in LTRs. Rejection episodes did not occur after vaccination. Our results showed a higher than previously reported humoral response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in KTRs and LTRs, which was dependent upon age, type of transplanted organ, and immunosuppression.