Serial SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain Antibody Responses in Patients Receiving Dialysis

Background: Assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 immune response among patients receiving dialysis can define its durability in a highly clinically relevant context because patients receiving dialysis share the characteristics of persons most susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objective: To evaluate the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG in seroprevalent patients receiving dialysis. Design: Prospective. Setting: Nationwide sample from dialysis facilities. Patients: 2215 patients receiving dialysis who had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection as of July 2020. Measurements: Remainder plasma from routine monthly laboratories was used to measure semiquantitative RBD IgG index value over 6 months. Results: A total of 2063 (93%) seroprevalent patients reached an assay detectable response (IgG index value >= 1). Most (n = 1323, 60%) had responses in July with index values classified as high (IgG >= 10); 1003 (76%) remained within this stratum. Adjusted median index values declined slowly but continuously (July vs. December values were 21 vs. 13; P < 0.001). The trajectory of the response did not vary by age group, sex, race/ethnicity, or diabetes status. Patients without an assay detectable response (n = 137) were more likely to be White and in the younger (18 to 44 years) or older (>= 80 years) age groups and less likely to have diabetes and hypoalbuminemia. Limitation: Lack of data on symptoms or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction diagnosis, cohort of persons who survived infection, and use of a semiquantitative assay. Conclusion: Despite impaired immunity, most seropositive patients receiving dialysis maintained RBD antibody levels over 6 months. A slow and continual decline in median antibody levels over time was seen, but no indication that subgroups with impaired immunity had a shorter-lived humoral response was found.

Automated summary

Assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 immune response among patients receiving dialysis showed that most seropositive patients maintained RBD antibody levels over 6 months, with a slow and continual decline in median antibody levels over time. No indication was found that subgroups with impaired immunity had a shorter-lived humoral response.