The antibody response to the COVID-19 vaccine and infection among Egyptian patients with hematological malignancies

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Hematology Unit, Kasr Al-ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

2 Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated health services for cancer patients. Patients with hematological malignancies (HMs) are at high risk for COVID-19-related complications, resulting in elevated mortality rates. Vaccination serves as a crucial strategy for the primary prevention of COVID-19, particularly for high-risk patients, to mitigate morbidity and mortality associated with the virus. Patients with HMs demonstrate diminished seroconversion rates post-COVID-19 infection or vaccination compared to other cancer patients and are more vulnerable to viral infections. In addition, COVID-19 vaccine response in HM patients is inadequate, attributed to factors such as hypogammaglobulinemia, advanced age, ongoing treatment, and previous administration of immunosuppressive drugs. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the antibody levels to COVID-19 infection and vaccination among patients with HMs. Methods: Eighty-six Egyptian patients aged more than 18 years were recruited from the Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital outpatient clinic with different HMs. The detection of immunoglobulin (IgG to COVID-19) titers in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients and the detection of COVID-19 anti-spike IgM antibodies in vaccinated patients were performed. Results: Most recruited patients (83.7% of the study group) developed a positive antibody response to COVID-19 infection.  Among 43 vaccinated patients, anti-spike IgM was assessed, revealing a positive titer of 86%. Our findings indicate that patients with lymphoma exhibited the lowest antibody level to COVID-19 infection, whereas patients with acute leukemia (ALL) demonstrated the highest level. Conclusion: Vaccination is highly advised for individuals with HMs. Further studies involving a larger patient population and various types of HMs are recommended.

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Main Subjects

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 25 February 2025

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