Humoral Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Following mRNA Vaccination and Infection in People with and without Allergic Diseases
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Authors
Burrows, Alyssa
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 , Antibodies , Asthma , Allergic Disease , Food Allergy , mRNA Vaccination , Allergic Rhinitis , IgG , IgA , IgM , Cytokines , Milliplex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Panel , Abbott SARS-CoV2 assay , Immunoassays
Alternative Title
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused more than 7 million deaths and 670 million infections. SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations have been critically important in preventing disease and mortality. From May 27th, 2020, to June 23rd, 2021 nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs (n=1,237), serum samples and questionnaires were collected from 454 asymptomatic healthcare professional students (HCPS) from Queen’s University. Serum samples were collected from Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington community members who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2. Serum samples collected before the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were used as negative samples. Reverse Transcriptions – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) NP swabs and immunoassays were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and cytokines. SARS-CoV-2 pseudoneutralization assays were used to measure neutralization titers.
Despite their nosocomial risk, no asymptomatic infections were detected in HCPS. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in two participants. After approving vaccines in December 2020, we pivoted to studying antibody responses. We suggest positive cut-offs with high specificity and moderate sensitivity for an experimental immunoassay and compare them to the minimal literature available. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were significantly higher in vaccinated and recovered participants compared to pre-COVID-19 and unexposed samples. Antibodies waned over time after 1-dose, 2-dose of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) SARS-Cov-2 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G-Spike (S)1, and S2 levels had a negative linear correlation with neutralization titers following the second dose of vaccination; similarly, IgG-S1, S2, and receptor binding domain had a linear, negative correlation with neutralization titers after infection. Interleukin (IL)-4 was significantly lower (p=0.01), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p=0.02) was significantly higher in recovered participants compared to unvaccinated and vaccinated participants cytokines; however, this is likely an age-related difference between the HCPS and positive control groups.
Through a questionnaire and skin prick testing, we determined which participants had allergic disease(s), a Type 2 (Th)-2 mediated disease. Th-2 cytokines may interfere with Ig production however, this has not been studied in mRNA vaccination. IL-13 was significantly higher in allergics compared to non-allergics in our study at baseline (p=0.0136) and post-vaccination (p<0.0001). Both, allergics and non-allergics mounted a significant IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody response following first and second vaccination compared to baseline. Despite the differences in the Th-2 cytokine, IL-13, there were no statistical differences between the antibodies and neutralization titers. Overall, these findings suggest that allergics and non-allergics produce similar antibody responses following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination that are effective at neutralizing a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. Given the high prevalence of allergic diseases worldwide, it is reassuring that people with allergic diseases ensuring that people with allergic diseases produce an immune response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination that does not significantly differ from people who do not have allergic disease(s).
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Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
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Attribution 3.0 United States
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution 3.0 United States