Title
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population living in Bomassa village, Republic of Congo
Author(s)
Lobaloba Ingoba, Line; Djontu, Jean Claude; Mfoutou Mapanguy, Claujens Chastel; Mouzinga, Freisnel; Diafouka Kietela, Steve; Vouvoungui, Christevy; Kuisma, Eeva; Nguimbi, Etienne; Ntoumi, Francine
Published
2022
Publisher
IJID Regions
Abstract
Objectives: As limited data are available from Central Africa, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 Ab prevalence in indigenous residents, in Bomassa, a village located in the Sangha Region in the Republic of Congo.
Methods: Plasma and oropharyngeal swabs samples were collected from 304 healthy adult individuals, randomly recruited in May 2021 before vaccine introduction in the area. In addition, 82 plasma samples from the same area in 2019 were included as controls for cross-reaction investigation against other Coronaviruses. The SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected by qRT-PCR and sequenced using Next-Generation Sequencing. ELISA method was used for detecting IgG, IgM and neutralizing Ab against SARS-CoV-2 antigens.
Results: About 4.9% (15/304) of the participants were SARS-CoV-2 positive and B.1.631 was the only variant identified. Of 109 individuals harboring anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and/or IgM Ab, 45.9 % (50/109) had anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab. A proportion of 3.7% (3/82) of control samples collected before the pandemic were positive to IgG, but negative for neutralizing Ab.
Conclusions: While seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 represented 25% in indigenous population, almost 50% of seropositive participants had neutralizing antibodies.
This finding highlights that the spread of the SARS-COV2 infection is under-estimate in the country.
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2; IgG and IgM; antibody; Bomassa; Republic of Congo
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PUB27272