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Most liver transplant recipients mount adequate COVID-19 antibody response

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The majority of liver transplant recipients are able to produce a functional antibody response to COVID-19 infection, according to data published in Gut.

“Our findings suggest that the humoral response of [liver transplant (LT)] recipients is only slightly lower than expected compared with that of COVID-19 immunocompetent controls,” Chiara Becchetti, MD, of the department of visceral surgery and medicine at the University of Bern in Switzerland, and colleagues wrote. “Additionally, we showed that the majority of LT recipients is capable of mounting an adequate neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 and that neutralizing ability was associated with the presence of antinucleocapsid antibodies.” Learn more here.

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Lung transplants encouraging treatment for COVID-19 patients, but long-term outcomes still uncertain

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Recent data bolster the value of lung transplants for some COVID-19 patients, indicating they do as well after surgery as those who needed new lungs for other reasons.

The complicated, risky procedure remains rare, though, doctors said, and there is still much they’re learning about how well transplants work for COVID-19 patients. Learn more here.

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The Science Supporting the U.S. Case for COVID Boosters

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“U.S. health officials laid out the scientific rationale for a third dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for all U.S. adults on Wednesday, relying on published and unpublished CDC data, as well as a preprint study.

Overall, they said that there is evidence that vaccine effectiveness against infection — both symptomatic and asymptomatic — has been decreasing over time, but that protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death remains relatively high.

In anticipation of further waning of immunity amid the ongoing Delta variant-fueled surge — which is posing additional challenges — pulling the trigger on booster shots could help the U.S. stay ahead of the virus, they said.”

Read more, here.

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U.S. FDA authorizes COVID-19 vaccine boosters for the immunocompromised

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“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) for people with compromised immune systems.

The amended emergency use authorization paves the way for people who have had an organ transplant, or those with a similar level of weakened immune system, to get an extra dose.

“After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines,” Janet Woodcock, U.S. FDA’s acting commissioner, said in a tweet on Thursday.”

Read more, here.

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Call in the T-Cell Cavalry to Fight COVID in the Immunocompromised

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“Last year was one of collective confinement. The majority of us shuttered our doors to visitors, worked from home, and ventured out sparingly in hopes of evading the grasp of COVID-19. Now in 2021, thanks to vaccination rollout, those who have been vaccinated are hopefully on the path to normalcy. But not everyone is so fortunate. For some, 2021 will bring more isolation and loneliness than ever before, which is hard to imagine. I’m talking about immunocompromised adults and children. While much of the rest of the populace clinks glasses, hugs loved ones, and joins parties, immunocompromised individuals do not have the security of an effective vaccine, and for their health and safety will maintain their distance and watch the social revelry from the sidelines.”

Read more, here.

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If You’ve Done This, Your Risk of COVID After Vaccination Is 82 Times Higher

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“A study published July 23 in the Transplantation journal looked at COVID infections among transplant recipients. The researches analyzed data from more than 18,000 fully vaccinated people who had transplants for large organs from 17 transplant centers across the U.S. There were 151 breakthrough infections among the patients studied. According to the researchers, the risk of getting COVID after vaccination is 82 times higher for people who have had a transplant.

Out of the transplant breakthrough infections, 87 people were also hospitalized and 14 died. According to the study, this translates to a 485 times higher risk of breakthrough infection with associated hospitalization and death for transplant recipients. Per the CDC, most people who get breakthrough infections should not expect severe complications.

Study co-author Dorry Segev, MD, a transplant surgeon with Johns Hopkins University, told Science magazine that this is the first study to provide clinical evidence across multiple hospitals that transplant recipients are less protected by the vaccine.”

Read the full article, here.

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CDC Urges Vaccinated People To Mask Up Indoors In Places With High Virus Transmission

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“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidance on wearing masks Tuesday. In a reversal of its earlier position, the agency is now recommending that some fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors if they live in areas with significant or high spread.

Currently, much of the country falls into that category — with the exception of the Northeast and parts of the Upper Midwest. The CDC provides this link if you want to see the area of spread in the county where you live.

“This was not a decision that was taken lightly,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC’s director, acknowledging that people are “tired and frustrated.”

But Walensky pointed to new data showing that while vaccinated people still account for a small amount of risk, in rare cases they can get infected and spread the virus to others.”

Read more, here.

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Even Dialysis Patients Can Maintain COVID Antibodies for Months

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“The vast majority of dialysis patients infected with COVID-19 maintained antibodies for at least 6 months, a new study found.

In a prospective analysis of over 2,000 adults on dialysis, 93% of seroprevalent patients reached an assay detectable response — a SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG index value of 1 or higher — and maintained this level throughout a 6-month follow-up, reported Shuchi Anand, MD, of Stanford University in California, and colleagues.

On top of that, 60% of patients had IgG index values of 10 or greater — classified as high — the group wrote in Annals of Internal Medicine. Of these patients, 76% maintained this antibody level throughout the 6-month follow-up.”

Read more, here.

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What Evidence Do We Need to Move Forward With COVID Boosters?

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“More data and an evaluation of several factors at home and abroad are key.

On Monday, employees of Pfizer met with high level executives in the Biden administration to discuss the role of boosters — a.k.a. a third vaccination with an mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. Some have speculated that, as with the first two doses, the emergency use authorization pathway will again be used to market boosters. With the rise of the Delta variant and others, enthusiasm in the media and the Twitter commentariat for boosters is growing. However, there are certain criteria that must be met before we jump on the booster bandwagon. Some of these criteria apply at home, and others apply abroad.”

Learn more, here.

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Monoclonal Antibodies Safe for Organ Recipients with Covid-19

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Solid organ transplant recipients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 can be safely treated with monoclonal antibody therapy, a new study confirmed.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, reported that monoclonal antibody treatment was associated with favorable outcomes with minimal side effects in the first solid organ transplant patients to receive the infusions for Covid-19 at their center.

None of the 73 patients died, required mechanical ventilation, or experienced organ rejection.

Eleven of the patients (15%) had emergency department visits within 28 days of monoclonal antibody infusion, including 9 who were hospitalized for a median of 4 days. Just one patient required ICU admission for a non-Covid-19 indication.

Read more, here.

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