Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40872864›Full record

ArticleVaccines2025

Correlates of SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients Following a Third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Dose.

Miriam Viktov Thygesen, Charlotte Strandhave, Jeanette Mølgaard Kiib, Randi Berg, Malene Söth Andersen, Emma Berggren Dall, Bodil Gade Hornstrup, Hans Christian Østergaard, Frank Holden Mose, Jon Waarst Gregersen and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Vaccines, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Miriam Viktov ThygesenDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
Charlotte StrandhaveDepartment of Nephrology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
Jeanette Mølgaard KiibDepartment of Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark.
Randi BergDepartment of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
Malene Söth AndersenDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
Emma Berggren DallDepartment of Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark.
Bodil Gade HornstrupDepartment of Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-4042-5068
Hans Christian ØstergaardDepartment of Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark.
Frank Holden MoseDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-5830-5814
Jon Waarst GregersenDepartment of Nephrology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.ORCID 0009-0008-3306-5165
Søren Jensen-FangelDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
Jesper Nørgaard BechDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-0605-1277
Henrik BirnDepartment of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
Marianne Kragh ThomsenDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-3645-6689
Rasmus OffersenDepartment of Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark.

Funding

Augustinus Foundation 211562Grosserer L.F. Foghts Fond N/AKV Fonden N/AThe Toyota Foundation N/A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundKidney transplant recipients (KTRs) exhibit a significantly diminished immune response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines compared with the general population, primarily due to ongoing immunosuppressive therapy. This study evaluated the immunogenicity of a third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine dose in KTRs and assessed the association between antibody response and protection against SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection. Additionally, the clinical and immunological correlates of post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection were examined.

methodsA prospective cohort of 135 KTRs received a third vaccine dose approximately six months following the second dose. Plasma samples were collected at baseline (pre-vaccination), six months after the second dose, and six weeks following the third dose. Humoral responses were assessed using SARS-CoV-2-specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers and virus neutralization assays against wild-type (WT) and viral strains, including multiple Omicron sub-lineages.

resultsAfter the third vaccine dose, 74% of the KTRs had detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies, compared with 48% following the second dose. The mean IgG titers increased approximately ten-fold post-booster. Despite this increase, neutralizing activity against the Omicron variants remained significantly lower than that against the WT strain. KTRs who subsequently experienced a SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection demonstrated reduced neutralizing antibody activity across all variants tested. Additionally, individuals receiving triple immunosuppressive therapy had a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection compared with those on dual or monotherapy. A multivariate machine learning analysis identified age and neutralizing activity against WT, Delta, and Omicron BA.2 as the most robust correlates of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection.

conclusionsA third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine dose significantly improves SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels in KTRs; however, the neutralizing response against Omicron variants remains suboptimal. Diminished neutralizing capacity and intensified immunosuppression are key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in this immunocompromised population.

Indexed as

COVID-19immunosuppressionmachine learning predictorstransplant immunology

Identifiers

PMID40872864
PMCPMC12389881

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.