A pre-vaccine exploratory survey of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity among Egyptian general population
Abstract Background Population-based studies on COVID-19 have important implications for modeling the pandemic and determining vaccination policies. Limited data are available from such surveys in Egypt. Methods This cross-sectional was conducted throughout the period between January and June 2021,...
Published in: | Tropical Medicine and Health |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
BMC
2022
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-022-00448-x https://doaj.org/article/2356248e8d1f4981813b3a69f917ac21 |
Summary: | Abstract Background Population-based studies on COVID-19 have important implications for modeling the pandemic and determining vaccination policies. Limited data are available from such surveys in Egypt. Methods This cross-sectional was conducted throughout the period between January and June 2021, which coincided with the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. At that time, vaccines against COVID-19 were not available to the general population. The study was carried out in eight Egyptian governorates and included 2360 participants, who were recruited through a multistage stratified cluster sample technique, based on gender, age, and district followed by a random sample within each district. Socio-demographic data were recorded and serum samples were collected and tested for SARS-Co-V2 spike (S) antibodies. Results The overall adjusted prevalence of anti-S was 46.3% (95% CI 44.2–48.3%), with significant differences between governorates. Factors associated with anti-S seropositivity were: being female (p = 0.001), living in a rural area (p = 0.008), and reporting a history of COVID-19 infection (p = 0.001). Higher medians of anti-S titers were significantly associated with: extremes of age (p < 0.001), living in urban areas, having primary education (p = 0.009), and reporting a history of COVID-19 infection, especially if based on chest CT or PCR (p < 0.001). Conclusions High seroprevalence rates indicate increased COVID-19 infection and immune response among a considerable percentage of the community. Age, gender, residence, educational level, and previous PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infections were all determinants of the immune response. |
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