» Articles » PMID: 35878802

Accuracy of QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 Research Use Only Assay and Characterization of the CD4 and CD8 T cell-SARS-CoV-2 Response: Comparison with a Homemade Interferon-γ Release Assay

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to characterize the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response detected by the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 research use only assay in terms of accuracy and T cell subsets involved compared with a homemade interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA).

Methods: We evaluated T cell response by the standardized QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 tubes (antigen [Ag]1 and Ag2) and a homemade IGRA quantifying IFN-γ response to SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides (homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test). We evaluated the T cell subsets mediating the specific response using flow cytometry.

Results: We prospectively enrolled 66 individuals: COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 subjects and NO-COVID-19-vaccinated subjects, including healthy donors and immunocompromised subjects. The standardized kit detected 62.1% (41/66) of T cell responders. Ag2 tube showed a higher IFN-γ quantitative and qualitative response. Ag1 tube response was mainly mediated by CD4 T cells; Ag2 tube response was mediated by CD4 and CD8 T cells. The homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test detected a higher number of responders (52/66, 78.8%) than the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 assay (P = 0.056). The response was found in both T cell subsets, although a higher magnitude and response rate was observed in the CD4 T cell subset.

Conclusion: The QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 response is mediated by CD4 and CD8 T cells. A lower number of responders is found compared with the homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test, likely because of the different peptide composition.

Citing Articles

Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients Receiving Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibodies: A Diagnostic Challenged by Negative Nasopharyngeal RT-PCR and Successful Treatment with COVID-19 High-Titer Convalescent Plasma.

Da Silva L, Klopfenstein T, Gendrin V, Clouet J, Toko L, Richier Q Viruses. 2023; 15(11).

PMID: 38005897 PMC: 10675708. DOI: 10.3390/v15112220.


A two-arm analysis of the immune response to heterologous boosting of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Nithichanon A, Kamuthachad L, Salao K, Phoksawat W, Kamsom C, Wongratanacheewin S Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):18762.

PMID: 37907584 PMC: 10618206. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46053-8.


Impact of different classes of immune-modulating treatments on B cell-related and T cell-related immune response before and after COVID-19 booster vaccination in patients with immune-mediated diseases and primary immunodeficiency: a cohort study.

Koehm M, Klippstein M, Dauth S, Hallmann K, Kohmer N, Burkhardt H RMD Open. 2023; 9(3).

PMID: 37652553 PMC: 10476126. DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003094.


BNT162b2 Elicited an Efficient Cell-Mediated Response against SARS-CoV-2 in Kidney Transplant Recipients and Common Variable Immunodeficiency Patients.

La Civita E, Zannella C, Brusa S, Romano P, Schettino E, Salemi F Viruses. 2023; 15(8).

PMID: 37632002 PMC: 10459971. DOI: 10.3390/v15081659.


The Importance of Measuring SARS-CoV-2-Specific T-Cell Responses in an Ongoing Pandemic.

Petrone L, Sette A, de Vries R, Goletti D Pathogens. 2023; 12(7).

PMID: 37513709 PMC: 10385870. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070862.


References
1.
Sette A, Crotty S . Adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Cell. 2021; 184(4):861-880. PMC: 7803150. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.01.007. View

2.
Farroni C, Picchianti-Diamanti A, Aiello A, Nicastri E, Lagana B, Agrati C . Kinetics of the B- and T-Cell Immune Responses After 6 Months From SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol. 2022; 13:846753. PMC: 8924958. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.846753. View

3.
Grifoni A, Weiskopf D, Ramirez S, Mateus J, Dan J, Rydyznski Moderbacher C . Targets of T Cell Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus in Humans with COVID-19 Disease and Unexposed Individuals. Cell. 2020; 181(7):1489-1501.e15. PMC: 7237901. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.015. View

4.
Tormo N, Gimenez E, Martinez-Navarro M, Albert E, Navalpotro D, Torres I . Performance comparison of a flow cytometry immunoassay for intracellular cytokine staining and the QuantiFERON® SARS-CoV-2 test for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2-Spike-reactive-IFN-γ-producing T cells after COVID-19 vaccination. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022; 41(4):657-662. PMC: 8853233. DOI: 10.1007/s10096-022-04422-7. View

5.
Thieme C, Anft M, Paniskaki K, Blazquez-Navarro A, Doevelaar A, Seibert F . Robust T Cell Response Toward Spike, Membrane, and Nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 Proteins Is Not Associated with Recovery in Critical COVID-19 Patients. Cell Rep Med. 2020; 1(6):100092. PMC: 7456276. DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100092. View