Seroprevalence, Prevalence, and Genomic Surveillance: Monitoring the Initial Phases of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Betim, Brazil

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for epidemiological monitoring using diverse strategies. We conducted a project combining prevalence, seroprevalence, and genomic surveillance approaches to describe the initial pandemic stages in Betim City, Brazil. We collected 3239 subjects in a population-based age-, sex- and neighborhood-stratified, household, prospective; cross-sectional study divided into three surveys 21 days apart sampling the same geographical area. In the first survey, overall prevalence (participants positive in serological or molecular tests) reached 0.46% (90% CI 0.12–0.80%), followed by 2.69% (90% CI 1.88–3.49%) in the second survey and 6.67% (90% CI 5.42–7.92%) in the third. The underreporting reached 11, 19.6, and 20.4 times in each survey. We observed increased odds to test positive in females compared to males (OR 1.88 95% CI 1.25–2.82), while the single best predictor for positivity was ageusia/anosmia (OR 8.12, 95% CI 4.72–13.98). Thirty-five SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced, of which 18 were classified as lineage B.1.1.28, while 17 were B.1.1.33. Multiple independent viral introductions were observed. Integration of multiple epidemiological strategies was able to adequately describe COVID-19 dispersion in the city. Presented results have helped local government authorities to guide pandemic management.

Changing Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence: A Snapshot among the General Population in Kuwait

“…However, conflicting data have been reported regarding gender and IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Similar results have been observed in previous seroprevalence studies, which reported higher seroprevalence in women than in men [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In contrast, other serological surveys have shown no association between SARS-CoV-2 IgG prevalence and gender [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and XAG identification during routine surveillance on a university campus in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2022

“…SARS-CoV-2 variants played a significant role in the COVID-19 waves in Brazil [ 3 ]. Four waves could be identified in Minas Gerais: the first was in mid-2020 when B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33 variants were circulating [ 4 – 6 ]; the second was after the introduction of alpha (B.1.1.7) and gamma (P.1) variants in late 2020 [ 7 , 8 ]. The other two waves were observed in early 2022 after introducing the omicron variant and its subvariants.…”

Characteristics of COVID-19 Infection in a Hospitalized Autoimmune Hepatitis Patient

“…Recent research from Liu et al (2022) [19] highlighted that assessing liver fibrosis scores could be an important tool in identifying high risk of developing severe COVID-19 for patients with coexisting COVID-19 and CLD. Regarding the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.28 lineage genotyped by high-throughput nanopore sequencing, a Brazilian study from Silva et al (2021) [20] indicated that this lineage had emerged in February 2020 in São Paulo, Brazil and rapidly spread to other Brazilian states. No association between this lineage and severe COVID-19 was described for CLD patients.…”