HUMORAL RESPONSE TO PFIZER MRNA VACCINE AGAINST SARS COV2, IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE PATIENTS AND THE IMPACT ON THE RHEUMATIC DISEASE ACTIVITY

Presenter
  • Yolanda Braun-Moscovici (Israel)
Lecture Time
12:45 - 12:51

Abstract

Background and Aims

Concerns were raised whether patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD) can mount a protective immune response to mRNA vaccines against SARS CoV2 and whether the vaccination may trigger a flare up of the CTD.

Our aims were to assess the impact on CTD activity and the humoral response to 2 doses of mRNA vaccine against SARS CoV2, in CTD patients treated with immunomodulating drugs.

Methods

Consecutive 90 CTD patients treated at our rheumatology institute who received their first SARS-CoV-2 (Pfizer) vaccine were recruited to the study. They were reassessed 4-6 weeks after receiving the second dose of vaccine and blood samples were obtained for serology. CTD activity assessment and the vaccine side effects were documented during both visits. Neutralizing IgG Antibodies (Ab) against the spike receptor-binding domain of SARS COV2 virus were detected using the SARS-Cov-2 IgG II Quant (Abbott) assay.

Results

The cohort included 51systemic sclerosis patients, 24 with lupus, 9 with myositis, 3 with Sjogren and 3 with mixed CTD ((mean age(SD) 55(14), disease duration 9.4(5.7)). The immunomodulatory treatment was continued. 69 % received csDMARDs, 35% biological DMARDs, 18% combined therapy (csDMARDs+bDMARDs) and 42% steroids. 72 patients (80%) mounted a significant humoral response (median(IQR) 3738.5(80-40000)AU/ml). The humoral response was influenced only by the type of treatment (especially rituximab). The CTD remained stable.

Conclusions

The vast majority of CTD patients developed a significant humoral response to 2 doses of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine against SARS CoV2 virus. Only minor side effects were reported, no apparent impact on CTD activity was noted.

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