Publications by authors named "Michelle R Krach"
Background: While several studies have observed that solid organ transplant recipients experience diminished antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, data specific to heart and lung transplant (HT/LT) recipients remains sparse.
Methods: US adult HT and LT recipients completed their vaccine series between January 7 and April 10, 2021. Reactogencity and SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody were assessed after a priming dose (D1) and booster dose (D2).
Article Synopsis
- Liver transplants for alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) typically require 6 months of sobriety, but early transplants (within 6 months) may reduce mortality for severe cases, though this is debated and mostly done in select centers.
- This study aimed to assess survival rates for patients undergoing early versus standard liver transplants for ALD, focusing on patient, allograft, and relapse-free outcomes.
- Out of 163 ALD patients analyzed, 54% received early liver transplants, with comparisons showing differences in outcomes, including relapse rates related to alcohol use post-transplant.
Article Synopsis
- The study assessed the safety and reactogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in immunosuppressed transplant recipients, who were excluded from earlier vaccine trials.
- It involved 741 transplant recipients vaccinated between December 2020 and March 2021, revealing that local reactions decreased after the second dose, while systemic reactions increased, particularly in younger participants.
- Overall, severe reactions were rare, with minimal infections reported, indicating that mRNA vaccination is generally safe for transplant recipients and may help alleviate vaccine hesitancy in this group.