CD19+ B cell numbers predict the increase of anti-SARS CoV2 antibodies in fingolimod-treated and COVID-19-vaccinated patients with multiple sclerosis [article]

I. Schiavetti, L. Barcellini, C. Lapucci, F. Tazza, M. Cellerino, E. Capello, D. Franciotta, M. Inglese, M. P. Sormani, A. Uccelli, A. Laroni
2022 medRxiv   pre-print
AbstractTreatment with fingolimod for multiple sclerosis (MS) reduces the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. We evaluated by a multivariate linear regression model whether main lymphocyte subsets and demographic feature correlated to the subsequent increase in anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies following the third dose of COVID-19 vaccination in fingolimod-treated MS patients. We found that number and proportion of peripheral blood CD19+ B lymphocytes before the third dose of vaccination in MS patients
more » ... eated with fingolimod, predict the subsequent increase of anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies (respectively p = 0.013; p = 0.015). This work suggests that evaluating the numbers of CD19+ B cells may be important to identify patients at risk of not producing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, with possible reduced protection from COVID-19.
doi:10.1101/2022.07.02.22277178 fatcat:7mswnkixrvetrbmdzmb36qqquy