Dados do Trabalho

Título

Evaluation of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in indigenous adolescents from Dourados-MS.

Introdução

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccination in containing SARS-CoV-2, especially vulnerable populations such as indigenous people.

Objetivo (s)

To evaluate the production of specific antibodies and cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of indigenous minors vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2). 

Material e Métodos

A cohort study was conducted with indigenous adolescents from Dourados-MS, Brazil. The participants, accompanied by their guardians, signed an informed consent form. Asymptomatic adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were included, while those with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded. The study was approved by the National Research Ethics Commission (CONEP No. 4.502.250). Blood samples were collected before the first dose (D1) and 21 days after the second dose (D2). The samples were analyzed using the QuantiVac ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) (Euroimmun) to detect IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, diluted. Results were expressed in Binding Antibody Units (BAU/ml). Flow cytometry techniques were employed to assess the cellular response induced by the vaccine. 

Resultados e Conclusão

Of the 129 participants, 98 completed the two-dose vaccination regimen and tested negative in the rapid SARS-CoV-2 screening test. After vaccination, 41.83% of participants showed seropositivity for anti-spike IgG antibodies. There was a significant increase in the median anti-spike IgG titers from D1 to D2 (p < 0.001). The cellular response demonstrated a notable increase in T and B cell subpopulations post-vaccination. Specifically, a increase in CD8+ T cells and a reduction in memory B cells were observed, indicating a robust cellular immune response to the vaccine.The results demonstrate that vaccination with BNT162b2 induced a statistically significant immune response in indigenous adolescents, evidenced by the increase in IgG anti-spike antibody titers and cellular response. This is the first study to evaluate the vaccination of indigenous minors with BNT162b2, highlighting the importance of conducting further research on vulnerable populations to better understand the vaccine's effectiveness and impacts on these groups. 

Palavras Chave

COVID-19; BNT162b2 vaccine; indigenous minors.