Lupus Patients With COVID-19 Produce and Maintain Antibody Response after Infection

Even with immunosuppressant use, the majority of SLE patients retain immunoreactivity to SARS-CoV-2.

Study results show that 16 percent of 329 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a reactive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, compared with approximately 20 percent seroprevalence in New York City. Seropositive patients were more likely to be Hispanic, and no association with immunosuppressant medications, hydroxychloroquine, or steroid use was found. ADAPTED FROM: Lancet Rheumatol. 2021;3(8):e585–594.

Among patients with SLE and COVID-19, 83 percent developed an antibody response to SARS-CoV-2; 62 percent were on immunosuppressants, 88 percent retained an antibody response for up to 10 weeks, and 70 percent retained an antibody response for up to 40 weeks. ADAPTED FROM: Lancet Rheumatol. 2021;3(8):e585–e594.

The immune dysregulation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and frequent treatment with immunosuppressants have prompted concerns that these patients could be at greater risk for COVID-19.

A large study in The Lancet Rheumatology led by assistant professor of rheumatology Amit Saxena, MD, however, found that neither lupus-specific factors nor immunosuppressant use increased the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Among patients in a multiracial and multiethnic cohort who tested positive, most produced a significant and durable SARS-CoV-2 IgG response.

“Probably the biggest take-home point of this study is that the immune response is functional and enough to react to SARS-CoV-2 for the vast majority of our lupus patients, despite the use of immunosuppressants.”
Amit Saxena, MD

“Probably the biggest take-home point of this study is that the immune response is functional and enough to react to SARS-CoV-2 for the vast majority of our lupus patients, despite the use of immunosuppressants,” Dr. Saxena says.

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Amit Saxena, MD

Rheumatology

Amit Saxena, MD, is an associate professor of medicine. He specializes in researching and treating systemic lupus erythematosus.

Lupus Patients With COVID-19 Produce and Maintain Antibody Response after Infection

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Amit Saxena, MD

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Lupus Patients With COVID-19 Produce and Maintain Antibody Response after Infection

Featured Experts

Amit Saxena, MD

Your Partner in Every Patient’s Care

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