Revealing the extent of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya based on serological and PCR-test data

Ojal, John; Brand, Samuel; Were, Vincent; Okiro, Emelda A.; Kombe, Ivy K.; Mburu, Caroline; Aziza, Rabia; Ogero, Morris; Agweyu, Ambrose; Warimwe, George M.; Uyoga, Sophie; Imo., Adetifa; Jag., Scott; Otieno, Edward; Ochola‐Oyier, Lynette Isabella; Agoti, Charles N.; Kasera, Kadondi; Amoth, Patrick; Mwangangi, Mercy; Aman, Rashid; Ng’ang’a, Wangari; Tsofa, Benjamin; Bejon, Philip; Barasa, Edwine; Keeling, Matt J.; Nokes, D. James

doi:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16748.1

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Consistent with other studies conducted in Kenya [ 15 , 16 , 21 , 22 ], we found significant differences in seroprevalence by region. In our study, participants from the Coast had lower odds for testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence, correlates, and access to harm reduction services among people who inject drugs living with and without HIV and their partners in Kenya

et al. 2023

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Background In sub-Saharan Africa many people who inject drugs (PWID) are living with undiagnosed or untreated HIV and experience high levels of poverty and conditions that can contribute to worse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Identifying the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection in marginalized populations like PWID may contribute to controlling the pandemic. Methods This is a nested cross-sectional study within an ongoing cohort study that recruits PWID living with HIV and their injecting and/or sexual partners at needle and syringe program sites and methadone clinics in Kenya. Blood samples were collected from consenting participants at enrollment to determine SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a Platellia BioRad SARS-CoV-2 total antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Baseline data were collected on HIV status, antiretroviral therapy and methadone adherence. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with antibody positivity and descriptive statistics to report SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence. Results One thousand participants were enrolled between April and July 2021, of whom 323 (32.3%) were women and 677 (67.7%) were men. Median age of participants was 36 years (interquartile range: 30, 42). SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity was found in 309 (30.9%) participants. Disruption in obtaining methadone service was reported by 106 (24.3%) of the participants. Men were significantly less likely than women to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51, 0.95; p < 0.01) Participants who reported a sexual or injecting partner diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 were twofold more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.06, 4.58; p < 0.032). Living with HIV was not associated with presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Conclusion The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 of 30.9% in this cohort suggests high transmission rates within this population. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was similar for people living with and without HIV. A large portion of this population was noted to have had disruption in access to harm reduction services.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence, correlates, and access to harm reduction services among people who inject drugs living with and without HIV and their partners in Kenya

et al. 2023

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“…Detected COVID-19 incidence in Kenya first peaked in early August 2020 during a period of relaxation of measures: the end of the Nairobi and Coastal counties (including Mombasa) lockdown (7 June 2020), and the resumption of international air travel (1 August 2020). A single-wave epidemic in Kenya peaking within 100 to 200 days after SARS-CoV-2 introduction into the country was initially predicted, based on assumptions that included a single population group and the development of immunity to reinfection (3)(4)(5)(6). However, second and third waves occurred in mid-November 2020 and in March 2021, respectively.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 transmission dynamics underlying epidemic waves in Kenya

Brand

Ojal

Aziza

et al. 2021

Science

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Policy decisions on COVID-19 interventions should be informed by a local, regional and national understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Epidemic waves may result when restrictions are lifted or poorly adhered to, variants with new phenotypic properties successfully invade, or infection spreads to susceptible subpopulations. Three COVID-19 epidemic waves have been observed in Kenya. Using a mechanistic mathematical model, we explain the first two distinct waves by differences in contact rates in high and low social-economic groups, and the third wave by the introduction of higher-transmissibility variants. Reopening schools led to a minor increase in transmission between the second and third waves. Socioeconomic and urban-rural population structure are critical determinants of viral transmission in Kenya.

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Neutralizing immunity against coronaviruses in Tanzanian health care workers

Barabona,

Ngare,

Kamori

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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The ongoing vaccination efforts and exposure to endemic and emerging coronaviruses can shape the population's immunity against this group of viruses. In this study, we investigated neutralizing immunity against endemic and emerging coronaviruses in 200 Tanzanian frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). Despite low vaccination rates (19.5%), we found a high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (94.0%), indicating high exposure in these HCWs. Next, we determined the neutralization capacity of antisera against human coronavirus NL63, and 229E, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (including Omicron subvariants: BA.1, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5) using pseudovirus neutralization assay. We observed a broad range of neutralizing activity in HCWs, but no neutralization activity detected against MERS-CoV. We also observed a strong correlation between neutralizing antibody titers for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1, but not between other coronaviruses. Cross-neutralization titers against the newer Omicron subvariants, BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5, was significantly reduced compared to BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants. On the other hand, the exposed vaccinated HCWs showed relatively higher median cross-neutralization titers against both the newer Omicron subvariants and SARS-CoV-1, but did not reach statistical significance. In summary, our findings suggest a broad range of neutralizing potency against coronaviruses in Tanzanian HCWs with detectable neutralizing immunity against SARS-CoV-1 resulting from SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

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Revealing the extent of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya based on serological and PCR-test data

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence, correlates, and access to harm reduction services among people who inject drugs living with and without HIV and their partners in Kenya

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence, correlates, and access to harm reduction services among people who inject drugs living with and without HIV and their partners in Kenya

COVID-19 transmission dynamics underlying epidemic waves in Kenya

Neutralizing immunity against coronaviruses in Tanzanian health care workers

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