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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 7 of 7 Research Studies DisplayedMcAteer J, Kalluri DD, Abedon RR
Anti-spike antibody durability after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.
This study examined COVID-19 m-RNA vaccine antibody responses 6 months following the third vaccine dose (D3) of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination among adolescent solid organ transplant recipients (aSOTRs). The 34 participants were surveyed after they received the third dose of the vaccine and were sampled at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-D3. All had positive anti-RBD antibody titers 6 months post-D3. Variations in titers occurred between 3 and 6 months post-D3, with 29% having decreased antibody levels at 6 months compared to 3 months and 7% reporting increased titers at 6 months. The remaining 18 had unchanged antibody titers compared to 3-month post-D3 levels. A total of 12% reported breakthrough infection within 6 months and 9% reported infection after 6-12 months following the third dose of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: McAteer J, Kalluri DD, Abedon RR .
Anti-spike antibody durability after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.
Pediatr Transplant 2024 Feb; 28(1):e14671. doi: 10.1111/petr.14671.
Keywords: COVID-19, Vaccination, Transplantation, Children/Adolescents
Feldman AG, Beaty B, Everitt M
Survey of pediatric transplant center practices regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates for transplant candidates and living donors and use of COVID-19-positive deceased organs.
This study’s objective was to assess COVID-19 policies at US pediatric solid organ transplant centers. A 79-item survey was created and emailed between March and April 2022 to 200 UNOS Medical Directors detailing center COVID-19 vaccine policies for transplant candidates and living donors and use of grafts from COVID-19-positive deceased donors. The response rate was 77%. For children aged 5-15 years, 23% of centers have a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, 27% anticipate implementing a future mandate, and 47% have not considered or do not anticipate implementing a mandate. For children ≥16 years, 32% of centers have a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, 25% anticipate implementing a future mandate, and 40% have not considered or do not anticipate implementing a mandate. The top two reasons provided for not implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate were concerns about penalizing a child for their parent's decision and worsening inequities in transplant. Almost a third of 85 (27/85) kidney and liver living donor centers require vaccinations of donors. Twenty percent of centers accept organs from COVID-19-positive deceased donors.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Feldman AG, Beaty B, Everitt M .
Survey of pediatric transplant center practices regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates for transplant candidates and living donors and use of COVID-19-positive deceased organs.
Pediatr Transplant 2023 Sep; 27(6):e14513. doi: 10.1111/petr.14513..
Keywords: COVID-19, Children/Adolescents, Transplantation
Qin CX, Auerbach SR, Charnaya O
Antibody response to three SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.
The purpose of this observational cohort study was to assess whether a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine would improve immunogenicity in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), and to report the antibody response and safety of a third mRNA vaccine dose (D3) in adolescent SOTRs. Forty-two participants received three BNT162b2 doses and one received three mRNA-1273 doses. Participants were 6-13 years from transplant (median 10 [IQR]), and heart transplant was the most common procedure, in 41.9% of the participants. 9.3% of participants reported pre-D1 SARS-CoV-2 infections and 9.3% reported breakthrough infections. The study found that 88.4% of adolescent SOTRs had positive antibody responses 1 month post-D3, an increase from 63–73% post-D2. 54.5% of participants with prior negative responses seroconverted and 100% with positive responses increased or remained at maximum titer. Titers remained stable 3 months post-D3. There were no vaccine-related adverse events and four breakthrough infections. The researchers concluded that although this was a convenience sample, the results suggest there is an antibody response benefit to a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in adolescent SOTRs.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Qin CX, Auerbach SR, Charnaya O .
Antibody response to three SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.
Am J Transplant 2022 Oct;22(10):2481-83. doi: 10.1111/ajt.17085..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Vaccination, Transplantation
Kemme S, Yoeli D, Sundaram SS
Decreased access to pediatric liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of the study was to explore and understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nationwide pediatric liver transplants. The researchers compared data for transplant waiting list additions, removals, and liver transplants during pre-COVID-19 (March-November 2016-2019), early COVID-19 (March-May 2020), and late COVID-19 (June-November 2020). The study results showed a 38% decrease in liver transplantations during early COVID-19, recovering to pre-pandemic rates during late COVID-19. White children had a 30% decrease in overall liver transplantation, while non-White children had a 44% decrease in overall liver transplantation. Additions to the waiting list decreased 25% during COVID-19, with Black transplant candidates the most affected, and children spent longer on the waiting list during early COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 (140 vs. 96 days). The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic decreased access to pediatric liver transplants, especially during early COVID-19. The researchers discussed that although the rate of pediatric liver transplants has resumed to pre-COVID-19 levels, racial disparities must be addressed.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Kemme S, Yoeli D, Sundaram SS .
Decreased access to pediatric liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pediatr Transplant 2022 Mar;26(2):e14162. doi: 10.1111/petr.14162..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Transplantation, Access to Care, Disparities
Qin CX, Auerbach SR, Charnaya O
Antibody response to 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
While many adult solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have impaired antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, pediatric SOTRs’ response has not been assessed. In this article, the researchers reported the immunogenicity and safety of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination in pediatric SOTRs.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Qin CX, Auerbach SR, Charnaya O .
Antibody response to 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
Am J Transplant 2022 Feb;22(2):669-72. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16841..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Vaccination, COVID-19, Transplantation
Purnell TS, Simpson DC, Callender CO
Dismantling structural racism as a root cause of racial disparities in COVID-19 and transplantation.
As the United States faces unparalleled challenges due to COVID-19, racial disparities in health and healthcare have once again taken center stage. If effective interventions to address racial disparities in transplantation, including those magnified by COVID-19, are to be designed and implemented at the national level, it is first critical to understand the complex mechanisms by which structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized racism influence the presence of racial disparities in healthcare and transplantation. IN this article the authors discuss their viewpoint.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Purnell TS, Simpson DC, Callender CO .
Dismantling structural racism as a root cause of racial disparities in COVID-19 and transplantation.
Am J Transplant 2021 Jul;21(7):2327-32. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16543..
Keywords: COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Transplantation, Surgery, Access to Care
Feldman AG, Adams MA, Wachs ME
Successful non-directed living liver donor transplant for an infant with biliary atresia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This case study describes a successful non-directed living liver donor transplant for an infant with biliary atresia that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Careful preoperative planning was used to prevent infection pre- and post-cooperatively, and robust telehealth technology use both in and out of the hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Feldman AG, Adams MA, Wachs ME .
Successful non-directed living liver donor transplant for an infant with biliary atresia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pediatr Transplant 2020 Dec;24(8):e13816. doi: 10.1111/petr.13816..
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, COVID-19, Transplantation, Surgery, Case Study