Coronavirus seroprevalence among villagers exposed to bats in Thailand

Abstract

A serological survey of human coronavirus antibodies among villagers in 10 provinces of Thailand was conducted during 2016-2018. Serum samples (n = 364) were collected from participants from the villages and tested for coronavirus antibodies using a human coronavirus IgG ELISA kit. Our results showed that 10.44% (38/364; 21 males and 17 females) of the villagers had antibodies against human coronaviruses. The odds ratio for coronavirus positivity in the villagers in the central region who were exposed to bats was 4.75, 95% CI 1.04-21.70, when compared to that in the non-exposed villagers. The sociodemographics, knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the villagers were also recorded and analysed by using a quantitative structured questionnaire. Our results showed that 62.36% (227/364) of the villagers had been exposed to bats at least once in the past six months. Low monthly family income was statistically significant in increasing the risk for coronavirus seropositivity among the villagers (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.13-7.49). In-depth interviews among the coronavirus-positive participants (n = 30) showed that cultural context, local norms and beliefs could influence to bat exposure activities. In conclusion, our results provide baseline information on human coronavirus antibodies and KAP regarding to bat exposure among villagers in Thailand.

The Pandemic Experience in Southeast Asia: Interface Between SARS-CoV-2, Malaria, and Dengue

“…pangolins in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia (53)(54)(55)(56). Population-level serological studies of exposure to these zoonotic coronaviruses are lacking, though transmission has been detected in individuals with high levels of wildlife exposure including forest workers, farmers applying bat guano in agricultural practices, and in suppliers and consumers of wildlife (57,58). Finally, SEA was also affected by SARS-CoV-1 during the 2002-2003 outbreak; however, case numbers were low, making this an unlikely influencer of subsequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics (59).…”

Rodent–Human Interface: Behavioral Risk Factors and Leptospirosis in a Province in the Central Region of Thailand

“…The quantitative questionnaire and discussion guides for KII and FGD were designed by modifying the questionnaires of previous studies [30,[34][35][36]. The tools were refined after pretest activities with villagers in the areas with a prevalence of rodents, bats, and non-human primates in a province having similar sociodemographic and cultural contexts as the study areas.…”