Relationship between anthropometric and body composition parameters and anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG titers in females vaccinated against COVID-19 according to the heterologous vaccination course: A cohort study

PLoS One. 2023 Jun 13;18(6):e0287128. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287128. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric and body composition parameters and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers in a group of females who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with two doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine and then boosted with the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 63 women. Basic demographic and clinical data were collected. To assess the anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G titers following the vaccination, five blood draws were performed: 1) before the first dose, 2) before the second dose, 3) 14-21 days after the primary vaccination, 4) before the booster, and 5) 21 days after the booster. Blood samples were analyzed using a two-step enzymatic chemiluminescent assay. Body mass index and body composition were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. To select the most distinguishing parameters and correlations between anthropometric and body composition parameters and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers, factor analysis using the Principal Component Analysis was conducted.

Results: Sixty-three females (mean age: 46.52 years) who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. 40 of them (63.50%) participated in the post-booster follow-up. After receiving two doses of the ChAdOx1 vaccine, the study group's anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were 67.19 ± 77.44 AU/mL (mean ± SD), whereas after receiving a heterologous mRNA booster, the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers was about three-times higher and amounted to 212.64 ± 146.40 AU/mL (mean ± SD). Our data shows that seropositivity, obesity, non-fat-related, and fat-related body composition parameters all had a significant effect on the level of IgG titer after a two-dose vaccination of ChAdOx1. However, only non-fat-related and fat-related body composition parameters had a significant effect on the IgG titer after booster vaccination.

Conclusion: COVID-19 infection before the first dose of vaccination is not related to IgG titer after booster administration. Body composition has a significant effect on the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG after booster vaccination in females.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • BNT162 Vaccine*
  • Body Composition
  • COVID-19*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Middle Aged
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • BNT162 Vaccine
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work. This research was financed by own funds from the Silesian Park of Medical Technologies Kardio-Med Silesia in Zabrze. The costs related to the publication of the manuscript were covered by the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland. The Silesian Park of the Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia (KMS) - a scientific-research entity, acting as a founder, covering all costs related to conducting the study, was responsible for organizing the study, providing infrastructural and human resources necessary for the planned research. Its researchers - authors of herein manuscript and laboratory staff were responsible for conducting the study and preparing the manuscript. The Medical University of Silesia, upon the request of its researchers (co-authors of herein manuscript), covered costs related to the publication.