Abstract: PO0045
Prevalence and Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid IgG in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Session Information
- COVID-19: Epidemiology, Outcomes, Complications, and Risk Factors
November 04, 2021 | Location: On-Demand, Virtual Only
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Authors
- Al Azzi, Yorg, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Loarte Campos, Pablo, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Pynadath, Cindy T., Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Alani, Omar, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Raees, Harith, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Liriano-Ward, Luz E., Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Ajaimy, Maria, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
- Akalin, Enver, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
Background
We aimed to investigate the prevalence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in kidney transplant recipients in the Bronx, New York, one of the epicenters of the pandemic
Methods
Between March 16 and May 5, 2021, 255 patients tested positive by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. From May 3 to May 5, 2021, 1,164 patients were screened for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and 199 (17.1%) were tested positive (Figure).
Results
62 of the 199 patients were previously diagnosed COVID-19 by RT-PCR, while the remaining 137 did not have significant symptoms and had not been previously tested by RT-PCR. Overall prevalence of COVID-19 diagnosis by RT-PCR and/or SARS-CoV-2 IgG in 1,348 patients tested were 29.1%. Seventy-one RT-PCR+ patients were screened for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody and 62 (87%) were positive at a median 106 days (81-168) A total of 50 patients of 199 who were previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG (30 diagnosed with IgG and 20 with RT-PCR) were retested at a median time of 112 days (IQR: 81-121). Twenty-six patients (52%) became seronegative at a median time of 105 days (IQR: 84-141) from their first positive IgG. Nine of 20 (45%) patients who were diagnosed by RT-PCR became seronegative at a median time of 108 days (IQR: 81-168) from their first positive IgG while 17 of 30 (57%) patients who were initially diagnosed by a positive IgG, became seronegative at a median time of 121 days (IQR: 90-145) from the date of diagnosis.
Conclusion
In summary, 35% of kidney transplant recipients were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and developed SARS-CoV-2 IgG without requiring testing by RT-PCR. However, half of the patients who initially developed antibodies lose them over time raising the questions of lasting immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and how effective are those antibodies in preventing future infection.