SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Response in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis

Patients suffering from autoimmune hepatitis, a chronic immune-mediated liver disease with an incidence of 0.9 to 2 per 100,000 population per year in Europe, are considered to have a particularly increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-associated hospitalization and death.(1,2) Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination provides an essential tool to reduce morbidity and mortality in this cohort. However, a large multicenter study in China has shown a lower immunogenic response to inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccines of chronic liver disease patients in comparison with the healthy population.(3) Furthermore, reports from inflammatory bowel diseases or rheumatic disorders showed a reduced serologic response in patients taking glucocorticoids or thiopurine.(4,5) The decrease in vaccine-induced antibodies over time, as well as the emergence of variants of concern, led to the recommendation of an additional vaccination in immunocompromised patients.