Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Transplant Recipients and Hemodialysis Patients: Data from the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in approximately 7 million deaths and a historic vaccination effort, with over 13.6 billion doses administered. Despite this, understanding of immune responses in vulnerable populations, such as transplant recipients (TR) and hemodialysis patients (HD), remains limited, especially outside the US and Europe. Methods: To address this gap, we analyzed blood samples and deidentified data from the Instituto Nacional de Coordinación de Trasplante (INCORT) in The Dominican Republic, measuring antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 post-infection and vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and Sinovac-CoronaVac (Sinovac) in TR, HD, and healthy controls (CO). Using a fluorescent multiplex assay (mPlex-CoV) and mixed-effects modeling, we assessed variations in anti-S, anti-RBD, and anti-N IgG antibodies. Results: The results indicate that the CO group experienced an early peak in anti-S and anti-RBD antibodies, followed by stabilization. In contrast, the TR and HD groups showed a slower, gradual increase in antibodies. Despite fluctuations in the HD group, both the TR and HD groups maintained high anti-S and anti-RBD IgG levels, indicating a back-boosting effect from vaccination. However, elevated anti-N IgG levels in the TR and HD groups suggest potential reinfections. Additionally, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection led to higher anti-S IgG levels, with BNT162b2 associated with higher anti-S IgG and CoronaVac associated with higher anti-N IgG levels. Conclusion: These findings highlight the variability in antibody responses and the need for targeted public health strategies to diverse immunological profiles.