Response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients receiving B-cell modulating antibodies for renal autoimmune disease

BACKGROUND: Effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients receiving treatment with B-cell depleting agents is challenging. Information on vaccination responses in these patients are a valuable tool to develop efficient vaccination regimens. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective observational study, we report the humoral and cellular response in 34 patients receiving anti-CD20 antibody treatment for renal immune disease. RESULTS: After base immunization with SARS-CoV-2-vaccines, 92.0% developed a cellular, 32.4% a humoral response. Humoral immunity correlated with B-cell counts and the timespan between anti-CD20 antibody treatment and vaccination. All patients with > 21/µl B-cells, or > 197 days after treatment showed humoral response. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate timing of SARS-CoV-2-vaccinations after anti-CD20 antibody treatment and CD19 measurements are crucial to generate immunity. Awaiting partial B-cell recovery by postponing regularly scheduled anti-CD20 treatment should be considered in patients with stable immune disease. Trial registration: This study has been retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027049) on 29/10/2021. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07722-7.