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COVID-19 vaccine in hemodialysis patients: Time for a boost
1From the Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Hemodialysis patients receiving more COVID-19 vaccine doses showed higher anti-spike IgG antibody levels. This indicates a need for booster vaccinations in this vulnerable population to ensure adequate protection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Patients undergoing hemodialysis are at increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
- Understanding vaccine immunogenicity in this population is crucial for optimizing protection strategies.
- Previous studies have shown varied immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels in hemodialysis patients.
- To correlate antibody levels with patient demographics and vaccination history.
- To determine the necessity of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for hemodialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- A multi-center, cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia involving 167 hemodialysis patients.
- Patients received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Anti-spike IgG antibody levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) between March 2022 and January 2023.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving 3 vaccine doses showed positive serostatus (87.2%) compared to those receiving 1 (0.0%) or 2 doses (77.3%).
- Higher IgG antibody levels were observed in patients who received 2 or 3 doses compared to those who received only one dose.
- No significant difference in IgG levels was found between patients who received 2 or 3 doses, although 3 doses showed higher levels.
Conclusions:
- A dose-dependent relationship exists between the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses and anti-spike IgG antibody levels in hemodialysis patients.
- The findings strongly support the need for booster COVID-19 vaccinations in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- Booster doses are essential for maintaining adequate serological protection against coronavirus disease-19 in this high-risk group.
Objectives:
To evaluate anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels of hemodialysis patients and correlate them with the patients' demographic data and to evaluate these patients' need for a coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine booster.
Methods:
A cross-sectional multi-center study carried out at King Abdulaziz Kidney Center, Hasan Tahir Hemodialysis Center, and Hayat Organization Hemodialysis Center in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Patients (n=167) who received a minimum single dose of COVID-19 vaccine were recruited. The samples were collected between March 2022 and January 2023. Anti-spike IgG antibody levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results:
A significantly higher proportion of patients who received 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had positive serostatus compared with patients who received one or 2 doses (3 doses: 87.2%, one dose: 0.0%, 2 doses: 77.3%; p=0.000). Compared with patients who received one dose, significantly higher IgG antibody levels were detected in patients who received 2 (p=0.013) and 3 doses (p=0.025; n=35). In contrast, there was no significant difference in IgG antibody levels between patients who received 2 or 3 doses (p=0.45). Significant IgG antibody levels were detected in patients who received 2 and 3 doses (p=0.0125) compared with those received one vaccine dose (p=0.0004). Furthermore, patients who received 3 doses had significantly higher IgG antibody levels than patients who received 2 doses (p=0.000).
Conclusion:
The results show a dose-dependent association between IgG antibody levels and the number COVID-19 vaccines received. The study highlights the need for booster COVID-19 vaccination for patients on hemodialysis.
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