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Sentinel seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Gauteng Province, South Africa, August - October 2020.
George, J A; Khoza, S; Mayne, E; Dlamini, S; Kone, N; Jassat, W; Chetty, K; Centner, C M; Pillay, T; Maphayi, M; Mabuza, D; Maposa, I; Cassim, N.
  • George JA; Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa. jaya.george@wits.ac.za.
S Afr Med J ; 111(11): 1078-1083, 2021 11 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1534499
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity (seroprevalence) for tracking the COVID-19 epidemic are lacking for most African countries.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a sentinel cohort of patient samples received for routine testing at tertiary laboratories in Johannesburg, South Africa.

METHODS:

This sentinel study was conducted using remnant serum samples received at three National Health Laboratory Service laboratories in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) district. Collection was from 1 August to 31 October 2020. We extracted accompanying laboratory results for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine, HIV, viral load and CD4 T-cell count. An anti-SARS-CoV-2 targeting the nucleocapsid (N) protein of the coronavirus with higher affinity for IgM and IgG antibodies was used. We reported crude as well as population-weighted and test-adjusted seroprevalence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether age, sex, HIV and diabetic status were associated with increased risk for seropositivity.

RESULTS:

A total of 6 477 samples were analysed, the majority (n=5 290) from the CoJ region. After excluding samples with no age or sex stated, the model population-weighted and test-adjusted seroprevalence for the CoJ (n=4 393) was 27.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 25.4 - 28.6). Seroprevalence was highest in those aged 45 - 49 years (29.8%; 95% CI 25.5 - 35.0) and in those from the most densely populated areas of the CoJ. Risk for seropositivity was highest in those aged 18 - 49 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.52; 95% CI 1.13 - 2.13; p=0.0005) and in samples from diabetics (aOR 1.36; 95% CI 1.13 - 1.63; p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study conducted between the first and second waves of the pandemic shows high levels of current infection among patients attending public health facilities in Gauteng Province.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Antibodies, Viral Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Infant / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: S Afr Med J Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: SAMJ.2021.v111i11.15669

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Antibodies, Viral Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Infant / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: S Afr Med J Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: SAMJ.2021.v111i11.15669