What does this research mean for the field?

Evaluating cellular responses in addition to serology helps identify immunocompromised patients at highest risk of insufficient immune protection against SARS-CoV-2, as negative serology, lack of previous infection, and corticosteroid use strongly predict poor cellular responses. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immune responses alongside serology to help guide prophylactic monoclonal antibody administration in immunocompromised patients.

September 3, 2026Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Cellular response evaluation in immunosuppressed individuals to help guide monoclonal antibody COVID-19 prophylactic treatment administration

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

GSG. SafontUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona DGD. GaeteHospital Doctor Hernán Henríquez Aravena RUR. UgenaHospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Cohort study demonstrates reduced cellular immunity in seronegative immunocompromised individuals, suggesting T-cell assays complement antibody testing to prioritize COVID-19 prophylaxis.

Key Points

To assess SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immune responses alongside serology to help guide prophylactic monoclonal antibody administration in immunocompromised patients.
Classified 146 immunocompromised candidates for tixagevimab/cilgavimab prophylaxis between June and September 2022 by serology status (negative < 260 vs. positive ≥ 260 BAU/mL).
Stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells with a SARS-CoV-2 Spike peptide pool and measured IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-21, and IL-5 responses using a Fluorospot assay.
Cellular responses were detected in 38.3% of seronegative individuals compared to 55.6% of seropositive individuals, with seronegativity linked to lower polyfunctionality (38.8% vs. 72.2%) as well as decreased IFN-γ and IL-2 production.
Prior COVID-19 infection increased the odds of an IFN-γ response (OR 2.33) and an IL-2 response (OR 3.15), whereas corticosteroid intake reduced the odds of an IFN-γ response (OR 0.33).
Multivariate analysis estimated that fewer than 15% of seronegative patients without previous infection taking corticosteroids mount an IFN-γ response, compared to 68% to 90% of seropositive patients with previous infection not on corticosteroids.

Cite This Study

Safont et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9934cf636c6408cfa7c7ed https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-66441-0

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Cohort study demonstrates reduced cellular immunity in seronegative immunocompromised individuals, suggesting T-cell assays complement antibody testing to prioritize COVID-19 prophylaxis.

Cellular response evaluation in immunosuppressed individuals to help guide monoclonal antibody COVID-19 prophylactic treatment administration

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Cellular response evaluation in immunosuppressed individuals to help guide monoclonal antibody COVID-19 prophylactic treatment administration

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider