Primary SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: long-term humoral immune responses and effects on disease activity

Koos P. J. G. van Dam, Adriaan Volkers, Luuk W. Wieske, Eileen Stalman, Laura Y. L. Kummer, Zoe L. E. van Kempen, Joep W. Killestein, Sander Tas, Laura J. Boekel, Gerrit J. Wolbink, Anneke van der Kooi, Joost Raaphorst, R. Bart Takkenberg, Geert R. A. M. I. D'Haens, Phyllis W. Spuls, Marcel H. Bekkenk, Annelie F. Musters, Nicoline L. Post, Angela L. Bosma, Marc HilhorstYosta J. Vegting, Frederike E. Bemelman, Alexandre Voskuyl, Bo Broens, Agner Parra Sanchez, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Jelle de Wit, Abraham Rutgers, Karina de Leeuw, Barbara Horvath, Jan J. G. M. M. Verschuuren, Annabel Ruiter, Lotte van Ouwerkerk, Diane van der Woude, Renee C. F. Allaart, Y. K. Onno Teng, Pieter H. van Paassen, Matthias Busch, Papay B. P. Jallah, Esther A. Brusse, Pieter van Doorn, Adaja E. Baars, Dirk Jan Hijnen, Corine R. G. Schreurs, W. Ludo van der Pol, H. Stephan Goedee, Maurice Steenhuis, Sofie Keijzer, Jim B. D. Keijser, Olvi Cristianawati, Filip Eftimov*, T2B! immunity against SARS-CoV-2 study group

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) on immunosuppressants (ISPs) may have impaired long-term humoral immune responses and increased disease activity after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to investigate long-term humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and increased disease activity after a primary SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated IMID patients on ISPs.MethodsIMID patients on active treatment with ISPs and controls (i.e. IMID patients not on ISP and healthy controls) with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection before first vaccination were included from an ongoing prospective cohort study (T2B! study). Clinical data on infections and increased disease activity were registered using electronic surveys and health records. A serum sample was collected before first vaccination to measure SARS-CoV-2 anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies.ResultsIn total, 193 IMID patients on ISP and 113 controls were included. Serum samples from 185 participants were available, with a median time of 173 days between infection and sample collection. The rate of seropositive IMID patients on ISPs was 78% compared to 100% in controls (p < 0.001). Seropositivity rates were lowest in patients on anti-CD20 (40.0%) and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents (60.5%), as compared to other ISPs (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Increased disease activity after infection was reported by 68 of 260 patients (26.2%; 95% CI 21.2-31.8%), leading to ISP intensification in 6 out of these 68 patients (8.8%).ConclusionIMID patients using ISPs showed reduced long-term humoral immune responses after primary SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was mainly attributed to treatment with anti-CD20 and anti-TNF agents. Increased disease activity after SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported commonly, but was mostly mild.
Original languageEnglish
Article number332
Number of pages11
JournalBMC Infectious Diseases
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 May 2023

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Covid-19
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
  • Immunosuppression
  • TNF
  • Immunity
  • Antibodies
  • Disease activity
  • Flare
  • ANTIBODIES

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