ABSTRACT
Background Seroprevalence studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) assess the degree of undetected transmission in the community. Different groups, such as healthcare workers (HCWs), garment workers, and others, are deemed vulnerable due to their workplace hazards and immense responsibility. Purpose The present study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody (IgG) and its association with different explanatory variables. Further, the antibody was quantified to assess the increasing or decreasing trend over different intervention periods and according to other factors. Methodology This cross-sectional study observed health workers - doctor, nurse, hospital staff, etc. in and outpatients (non-COVID-19) and garments workers of Chattogram metropolitan area (CMA, N=748) from randomly selected six government and private hospitals and two garment factories. Study subjects were included upon written consent, fulfilling specific inclusion criteria. Venous blood was collected following standard aseptic methods. Qualitative and quantitative ELISA was used to identify and quantify antibodies (IgG) in serum samples. Descriptive, univariable, and multivariable statistical analysis was performed. Results Overall seroprevalence was estimated as 66.99% (95% CI: 63.40%-70.40%). Seroprevalence among HCWs, in and outpatients, and garments workers were 68.99 % (95% CI: 63.8%-73.7%), 81.37 % (95% CI: 74.7%-86.7%), and 50.56 % (95% CI: 43.5%-57.5%), respectively. Seroprevalence was 44.47 % (95% CI: 38.6%-50.4%) in the non-vaccinated population while it was significantly ( p <0.001) higher in the population receiving the first dose (61.66 %, 95% CI: 54.8%-68.0%) and both (first and second) doses of vaccine (100%, 95% CI: 98.4%-100%). The mean titer of the antibody was estimated as 255.46 DU/ml and 159.08 DU/ml in the population with both doses and one dose of vaccine, respectively, compared to 53.71 DU/ml of the unvaccinated population. A decreasing trend in the titer of antibodies with increasing time after vaccination was observed. Conclusions Seroprevalence and mean antibody titer varied according to different factors in this study. The second dose of vaccine significantly increased the seroprevalence and titer, which decreased to a certain level over time. Although antibody was produced following natural infection, the mean titer was relatively low compared to antibody after vaccination. This study emphasizes the role of the vaccine in antibody production. Based on the findings, interventions like continuing extensive mass vaccination of the leftover unvaccinated population and bringing the mass population with a second dose under a third dose campaign might be planned.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on neonates remains largely unknown in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We provide an epidemiologic and clinical report of SARS-CoV-2 infections in neonates hospitalized in Bangladesh. METHODS: Outborn neonates admitted to Dhaka Shishu Hospital, a tertiary-care referral hospital, between 29 March and 1 July were screened for SARS-CoV-2. We reviewed clinical data, including chest radiograph and laboratory reports, and conducted SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. Patients were followed-up for 27-75 days. A subset of caregivers was also tested. RESULTS: Of 83 neonates tested, 26 were positive (median age 8 days). Most neonates were admitted with diagnosis unrelated to SARS-CoV-2: 11 presented with serious non-communicable diseases, 7 with early-onset sepsis, 5 with late-onset sepsis and 2 with pneumonia. In 3 of 5 chest radiograph, infiltrates and ground-glass or patchy opacities were noted. Two neonates developed metabolic acidosis, one developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Most SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates were referred to government-designated COVID-19 hospitals, leading to gaps in treatment. Twenty-three neonates could be followed-up: 12 were healthy, 8 died and 3 were still seeking medical care. Of 9 caregivers tested, 8 were positive. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 may have serious adverse effects on children born in LMICs. The virus likely contributed directly to two deaths, but the remaining 6 neonates who died had serious comorbidities. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test results led to gaps in immediate clinical care for other morbidities, which likely contributed to adverse outcomes. This case series emphasizes the need to understand COVID-19 in neonates in LMICs and its indirect impacts.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/virology , Health Impact Assessment , SARS-CoV-2 , Age Factors , Age of Onset , Bangladesh/epidemiology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnosis , Female , Genome, Viral , Hospitalization , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Public Health Surveillance , Radiography, Thoracic , SARS-CoV-2/classification , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Sepsis/diagnosis , Sepsis/epidemiology , Sepsis/virology , Symptom Assessment , Whole Genome SequencingABSTRACT
The complete genome sequence of a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) isolate obtained from a nasopharyngeal swab from a patient with COVID-19 in Bangladesh is reported.