A Robust SARS-CoV-2-specific T and B Cell Response is Associated with Early Viral Clearance in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-Infected Immunocompromised Individuals.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The immunological determinants of delayed viral clearance and intra-host viral evolution that drive the development of new pathogenic virus strains in immunocompromised individuals are unknown. Therefore, we longitudinally studied SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in relation to viral-clearance and evolution in immunocompromised individuals. METHODS: Among Omicron-infected immunocompromised individuals, we determined SARS-CoV-2-specific T- and B-cell responses, anti-spike IgG(3) titers, neutralization titers, and monoclonal antibody (mAb)-resistance-associated mutations. The 28-day post-enrollment nasopharyngeal specimen defined early (RT-PCR negative ≤28 days) or late (RT-PCR- positive >28 days) viral-clearance. RESULTS: Of 30 patients included (median age 61.9 years [IQR 47.4-72.3], 50% females), 20 (66.7%) received mAb-therapy. Thirteen (43.3%) demonstrated early and 17 (56.7%) late viral-clearance. Early viral-clearance patients and patients without resistance-associated mutations had significantly higher baseline IFN-γ release and early viral-clearance patients had a higher frequency of SARS-CoV-2-specific B-cells at baseline. In non-mAb-treated patients, day 7 IgG and neutralization titers were significantly higher in those with early versus late viral-clearance. CONCLUSION: An early robust adaptive immune response is vital for efficient viral-clearance and associated with less emergence of mAb-resistance-associated mutations in Omicron-infected immunocompromised patients. This emphasizes the importance of early SARS-CoV-2-specific T- and B-cell responses and thereby provides a rationale for development of novel therapeutic approaches.