Evaluation of a commercial interferon-γ release assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response after vaccination

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 9; no. 6; p. e17186
• Main Authors: Saad Albichr, Imane, Mzougui, Samy, Devresse, Arnaud, Georgery, Hélène, Goffin, Eric, Kanaan, Nada, Yombi, Jean Cyr, Belkhir, Leila, De Greef, Julien, Scohy, Anaïs, Rodriguez-Villalobos, Hector, Kabamba-Mukadi, Benoît
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2023; The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: antibody formation; cell-mediated immunity; Cellular immunity; COVID-19; COVID-19 infection; health services; Interferon-gamma release tests; kidney transplant; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; T-lymphocytes; vaccination; Vaccine; COVID-19; Interferon-gamma release tests; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine; Cellular immunity
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17186

Evidence regarding the role of cellular immunity in protecting against COVID-19 is emerging. To better assess immune status, simple and robust assays measuring specific T-cell responses associated with humoral responses are needed. We aimed to evaluate the Quan-T-Cell SARS-CoV-2 test for measuring cellular immune responses in vaccinated healthy and immunosuppressed subjects. T-cell responses were assessed in healthy vaccinated and unvaccinated and unexposed healthcare workers to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the EUROIMMUN SARS-CoV-2 Quan-T-Cell IGRA test performed on vaccinated kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The EUROIMMUN SARS-CoV-2 Quan-T-Cell IGRA test showed good sensitivity (87.2%) and specificity (92.3%) at the calculated 147 mIU/mL cutoff, with an 88.33% accuracy. In KTRs, specific cellular immunity was lower than the antibody response; however, those with a positive IGRA result produced as much IFN-γ as healthy individuals. The EUROIMMUN SARS-CoV-2 Quan-T-Cell IGRA test showed good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of specific T-cell responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These results present an additional tool for better management of COVID-19, especially in vulnerable populations.