Trend in SARS-CoV-۲ Antibodies Seroprevalence in Bukavu Between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۳: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study

Background and aims: COVID-۱۹ is undoubtedly underestimated in the South Kivu region due to theinaccessibility of reference diagnostic tests. In this context, serological tests could help estimate thedisease’s circulation. This study analyzed the dynamics in the SARS-CoV-۲ antibodies seroprevalencein Bukavu, East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.Methods: The results of SARS-CoV-۲ antibody tests performed in ۲۰۲۰ (n = ۱۱۰۰), ۲۰۲۱ (n = ۵۰۸), and۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۳ (n = ۲۴۶) in ۴ clinics in Bukavu underwent analysis. Any subject, regardless of age, gender,and origin, was eligible for voluntary SARS-CoV-۲ antibody screening. The screening was performed todetermine the immune status for professional reasons or clinical clarification in symptomatic subjects.For this purpose, ۴ mL of blood was obtained from an antecubital venipuncture for biological analysis.The data were also collected anonymously and confidentially. These rapid lateral flow immunoassays(Cellex qSARS-CoV-۲ immunoglobulin G/M [IgG/IgM], and QuickZen COVID-۱۹ IgM/IgG) detectedand differentiated SARS-CoV-۲ antibodies in volunteer workers and patients.Results: Between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۳, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-۲ antibodies (IgG + and IgM + )increased from ۳۷.۹% to ۶۵.۴% (P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). Early exposure to SARS-CoV-۲ (IgM + /IgG-) increasedsignificantly from ۵.۱% in ۲۰۲۰ to ۱۱.۴% in ۲۰۲۱, while it decreased significantly from ۱۱.۴% in ۲۰۲۱to ۴.۵% in ۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۳ (P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). Full immunization (IgM-/IgG + ) increased from ۲.۵% in ۲۰۲۰ to۳۴.۱% in ۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۳. Age between ۴۰ and ۵۹ years (adjusted OR [۹۵% CI]: ۱.۶ [۱.۳-۲.۱], P < ۰.۰۰۰۱)and ≥ ۶۰ years (adjusted OR [۹۵% CI]: ۱.۶ [۱.۲-۲.۱], P = ۰.۰۰۱), as well as exposure periods ۲۰۲۱(adjusted OR [۹۵% CI]: ۲.۰ [۱.۶-۲.۵], P < ۰.۰۰۰۱) and especially ۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۳ (adjusted OR [۹۵% CI]:۳.۴ [۲.۵-۴.۷], P < ۰.۰۰۰۱) remained independent predictors of SARS-CoV-۲ antibody seroprevalence.Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated extremely high exposure to SARS-CoV-۲and full immunization of a significant proportion of the screened subjects. These results would explainthe marginalization of new waves of COVID-۱۹ in Bukavu despite low access to vaccination.

کلیدواژه ها:

Trend ، Seroprevalence ، SARS-CoV-۲ ، Bukavu