Cellular and humoral response after mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients living with HIV: A cross‐sectional study

Introduction No data exists on responses to mRNA vaccines in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with HIV. We compared these responses in HIV‐positive (HIV+KTR+) and negative KTRs (HIV‐KTR+), and in people living with HIV (PLWH) without kidney transplantation (HIV+KTR‐). Methods In across‐sectional study of 33 patients receiving mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination, we evaluated the humoral response to mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination using a Luminex platform (IgG and IgM), and cellular response with specific T cell response (S‐and N‐ protein) by ELISpot. We used logistic regression models to assess associated factors. Results The study comprised 11 HIV‐KTR+, 11 HIV+KTR+, and 11 HIV+KTR‐. PLWH had suppressed viral load on ART. Seroconversion rates were 72.7% among KTRs, with no significant differences between HIV‐KTR+ (81.8%) and HIV+KTR+ (63.6%) ( P = 0.338). In HIV+KTR‐, seroconversion was 100%, higher than HIV+KTR+ ( P = 0.027). Cellular response against protein S occurred in 63.6% of cases, regardless of HIV, transplantation, or dose number. Higher age negatively influenced cellular response in HIV+KTR‐ (OR 0.77, 95%CI 0.60‐0.99). Conclusion Although cellular immune response was similar across all groups, humoral response was reduced in HIV+KTR+. In HIV+KTR‐, age reduced cellular response. These findings enhance our understanding of vaccine response in immunosuppressed populations and aid in optimizing vaccination strategies.