Janha, Ramatoulie E; Bah, Alasana; Jah, Hawanatu; Touray, Fatima; Idris, Yahaya; Keita, Saikou; Gaye, Yassin; Jallow, Samba; Faye-Joof, Tisbeh; Njie, Baboucarr; +6 more... Craik, Rachel; Mohammed, Nuredin I; von Dadelszen, Peter; D'Alessandro, Umberto; Roca, Anna; PRECISE Network; (2023) SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in pregnant women during the first three COVID-19 waves in The Gambia. International journal of infectious diseases, 135. pp. 109-117. ISSN 1201-9712 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2023.08.012
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: SARS-CoV-2 transmission in sub-Saharan Africa has probably been underestimated. Population-based seroprevalence studies are needed to determine the extent of transmission in the continent. METHODS: Blood samples from a cohort of Gambian pregnant women were tested for SARS-CoV-2 total receptor binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin (Ig) M/IgG before (Pre-pandemic: October-December 2019) and during the pandemic (Pre-wave 1: February-June 2020; Post-wave 1: October-December 2020, Post-wave 2: May-June 2021; and Post-wave 3: October-December 2021). Samples reactive for SARS-CoV-2 total RBD IgM/IgG were tested in specific S1- and nucleocapsid (NCP) IgG assays. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 total RBD IgM/IgG seroprevalence was 0.9% 95% confidence interval (0.2, 4.9) in Pre-pandemic; 4.1% (1.4, 11.4) in Pre-wave 1; 31.1% (25.2, 37.7) in Post-wave 1; 62.5% (55.8, 68.8) in Post-wave 2 and 90.0% (85.1, 93.5) in Post-wave 3. S-protein IgG and NCP-protein IgG seroprevalence also increased at each Post-wave period. Although S-protein IgG and NCP-protein IgG seroprevalence was similar at Post-wave 1, S-protein IgG seroprevalence was higher at Post-wave 2 and Post-wave 3, (prevalence difference 13.5 [0.1, 26.8] and prevalence ratio 1.5 [1.0, 2.3] in Post-wave 2; and 22.9 [9.2, 36.6] and 1.4 [1.1, 1.8] in Post-wave 3 respectively, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 transmission in The Gambia during the first 3 COVID-19 waves was high, differing significantly from official numbers of COVID-19 cases reported. Our findings are important for policy makers in managing the near-endemic COVID-19.
Item Type | Article |
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Faculty and Department |
MRC Gambia > GM-Disease Control and Elimination Theme MRC Gambia > GM-Gambia Clinical Services/Comms |
Research Centre | Covid-19 Research |
PubMed ID | 37586660 |
Elements ID | 207948 |
Official URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2023.08.012 |
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