Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Sero-prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2020; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1101/2020.10.13.337287

Berhanu Nega Alemu, Adamu Addissie, Gemechis Mamo, Negussie Deyessa, Tamrat Abebe, Abdulnasir Abagero, Wondimu Ayele, Workeabeba Abebe, Tewodros Haile, Rahel Argaw, Wondwossen Amogne, Ayele Belachew, Zelalem Desalegn, Brhanu Teka, Eva Johanna Kantelhardt, Mesfin Wossen, Saro Abdella, Getachew Tollera, Lia Tadesse,

COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies

Abstract Background Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are being increasingly used for sero-epidemiological purposes to provide better understanding of the extent of the infection in the community, and monitoring the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic. We conducted sero-prevalence study to estimate prior infection with with SARS-CoV-2 in Addis Ababa. Methods A cross-sectional study was done from April 23 to 28, 2020 among 301 randomly selected residents of Addis Ababa; with no known history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 person. Interviews on socio demographic and behavioural risk factor followed by serological tests were performed for SARS-CoV-2 IgM, and IgG antibodies, using COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. The test has sensitivity of 87·9% and specificity of 100% for lgM; and a sensitivity of 97·2% and specificity of 100% for IgG. RT-PCR test was also done on combined nasopharyngeal and oropharengeal swabs as an important public health consideration. Findings The unadjusted antibody-based crude SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 7·6% and the adjusted true SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was estimated at 8·8% (95% CI 5·5%-11·6%) for the study population. Higher sero-prevalence were observed for males (9.0%), age below 50 years (8.2%), students and unemployed (15.6%), those with primary education (12.1%), smokers (7.8%), alcohol consumers (8.6%), chatt-chewers (13.6%) and shish smokers (18.8%). Seroprevalence was not significantly associated neither with socio-demographic not behavioral characteristics. According to the findings, possibly more individuals had been infected in Addis Ababa than what was being detected and reported by RT-PCR test suggestive of community transmission. The use of serological test for epidemiological estimation of the extent of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic gives a more precise estimate of magnitude which would be used for further monitoring and surveillance of the magnitude of the SARS CoV-2 infection.