Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Blood Donors in the Republic of Congo

Mokono, Serge Oscar; Nanitelamio, Edwige Paola Chancelle Louanga; Mbani, Chaldam Jespère; Tabapika, Aude; Taty, Taty; Ontsira, Nina Esther Ngoyi Née; Moukassa, Donatien

doi:10.4236/ojbd.2022.124013

Cited by 2 publications

References 25 publications

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SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants identified in selected regions of Ethiopia through whole genome sequencing: Insights from the fifth wave of COVID-19

Hailu,

Legesse,

Mulu

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, global sequencing highlighted SARS-CoV-2 variants with increased transmissibility and immune evasion. In Ethiopia, where COVID-19 cases surged, little was known about the virus's dynamics. This study aimed to analyze SARS-CoV-2 variants during the fifth wave of the pandemic, crucial for vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic selection, as well as understanding of disease progression and severity. Method: From the samples collected from different parts of the country between June and August 2022, a total of 150 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were randomly retrieved from the repository of the national SARS-CoV-2 reference laboratory of Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). Samples were re-analyzed using BIO-RAD, CFX96 Deep Well™ Real-Time PCR Detection system. Only 70 samples with a Ct value <30 were selected for next-generation sequencing using NextSeq 550 platform (Illumina platform). Out of 70, 63 genome sequences passed the bioinformatics quality and were chosen for further analysis. The genomic data was analyzed using bioinformatics and statistical tools. The reference genome "hCoV-19/Wuhan/WIV04/2019" was used for phylogeny. In addition, 117 sequence pairs were downloaded from GISAID, originating from 18 neighbouring countries and different parts of the world, in order to estimate the average evolutionary divergence across all sequence pairs. Results: Of the 63 genome sequences, 44 (69.8%) were from male and 19 (30.2%) were from Female. The median age of patient was 34 years. The dominant variant was Omicron (97%, 61/63), followed by Delta (3.2%, 2/63). Within Omicron, clade 22A was most prevalent (64%, 40/63), while other clades like 22B (18%, 11/63) and 21K (14%, 9/63) also present. Evolutionary divergence was limited, with Ethiopian sequences showing less genetic diversity compared to global sequences. Conclusion:The Omicron variant dominated the fifth wave in Ethiopia, with evidence of recent community transmission. Despite slight differences in genetic diversity with global sequences, the study underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance for variant tracking and public health interventions.

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SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants identified in selected regions of Ethiopia through whole genome sequencing: Insights from the fifth wave of COVID-19

Hailu,

Legesse,

Mulu

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Seroprevalence of COVID-19 among voluntary blood donors

Pothipillai,

Hamsavardhini,

Duraisamy

et al. 2023

Asian Journal of Transfusion Science

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CONTEXT: COVID-19 usually presents with mild symptoms. No cases of transfusion – transmission of COVID-19 had been reported. Assessing the prevalence of viral infections among blood donors is essential to frame blood safety strategies. AIM: The main aim of this study is to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthy and asymptomatic voluntary blood donors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SETTING AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted among voluntary blood donors using a consecutive sampling technique in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Guindy, Chennai, for 18 months. METHODS: Adhering to COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and donor eligibility criteria, blood samples collected from 500 asymptomatic unvaccinated voluntary blood donors were tested for SARS-CoV-2 (IgG + IgM + IgA and IgG) antibodies by ELISA. Adding IgA to a conventional IgM and IgG serological test improves sensitivity. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The collected donor data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics software. Pearson’s Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used. P = 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: IgG seropositivity among the donors was 58.8%, and IgM + IgA seropositivity was 29.6%. There was no statistically significant difference in the COVID-19 IgG/IgM + IgA seropositivity status with age, gender, blood group, occupation, or socioeconomic status. The IgG and IgM/IgA/IgG ELISA kits showed a difference of 13 cases which could be attributed to the higher sensitivity of IgG alone ELISA kit. This increased the seroprevalence by 3%. CONCLUSION: The majority of donors were either IgG or IgM and IgA positive, despite remaining asymptomatic. The seropositivity rate coincided with the COVID-19 surge among population.

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Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Blood Donors in the Republic of Congo

Cited by 2 publications

References 25 publications

SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants identified in selected regions of Ethiopia through whole genome sequencing: Insights from the fifth wave of COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants identified in selected regions of Ethiopia through whole genome sequencing: Insights from the fifth wave of COVID-19

Seroprevalence of COVID-19 among voluntary blood donors

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