SARS Cov‐2 vaccination induces de novo donor‐specific HLA antibodies in a renal transplant patient on waiting list: A case report

The ability of COVID‐19 vaccination to induce anti‐HLA antibodies (Abs) formation in renal transplant candidates is not well studied. A 42‐year‐old man on a renal transplant waitlist, with no sensitization history, was tested for DSA before and after COVID‐19 vaccination. Patient has consistently tested negative for COVID‐19 virus. Eighteen days after receiving first dose of mRNA‐based vaccine, flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) was strongly positive with de novo donor‐specific Ab (dnDSA) against B57 and de novo non‐DSA against B58. Before vaccination, preliminary FCXM was negative with no anti‐HLA Abs. This event prompted the transplant team to cancel the surgery. COVID‐19 vaccination could be associated with anti‐HLA Abs formation in renal patients on waitlists that could affect future transplantability.