Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1104

Symptoms After COVID-19 Vaccination Are Associated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Session Information

• COVID-19 - II
  November 03, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

• Oki, Rikako, Tokyo Joshi Ika Daigaku, Shinjuku-ku, Japan

Rikako Oki,

• Unagami, Kohei, Tokyo Joshi Ika Daigaku, Shinjuku-ku, Japan

Kohei Unagami,

• Omoto, Kazuya, Tokyo Joshi Ika Daigaku, Shinjuku-ku, Japan

Kazuya Omoto,

• Ishida, Hideki, Tokyo Joshi Ika Daigaku, Shinjuku-ku, Japan

Hideki Ishida,

Background

SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna), have been associated with local and systemic symptoms. We investigated the association of self-reported post-vaccination symptoms with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response among kidney transplant recipients.

Methods

This study included data collected from 251 kidney transplant recipients at Yochomachi Clinic from 2021 to 2022. All participants were administered an mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273), as indicated. Serum samples from each patient were subsequently collected before the first and second vaccination and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the second vaccination. For the assessment of antibody titers, S-IgG and N-IgG levels were measured (Elecsys®, Roche). As post-vaccination symptoms, local (injection site pain, rash, heat sensation, swelling, itchiness) and systemic (headache, fever, moderate to severe fatigue) symptoms were recorded from the 1^st day of vaccination to the 10^th day, for both the first and second vaccination.

Results

Major symptoms after the second vaccination included injection site pain (80%), itchiness (43%), moderate to severe fatigue (27%), and headache (19%). Itchiness and headache were significantly less common in the group of patients <1 year post-transplant (p=0.049, 0.03). Based on vaccine type, itchiness and fatigue were significantly more common with the mRNA1273 vaccine (p<0.01). S-IgG titers at 3 and 6 months after the second shot were significantly higher in patients who reported fatigue or headache (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that headaches were associated with acquisition of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 3 months after the second shot, independent of age and sex. (Table1)

Conclusion

Systemic symptoms after vaccination for COVID-19 might be related to acquisition of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Funding

• Government Support – Non-U.S.