COVID (Dec 2024)

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among People Living with HIV in Libreville, Gabon

  • Samira Zoa-Assoumou,
  • Hervé M’boyis-Kandem,
  • Pelagie Saphou-Damon,
  • Davy Ulrich Leger Mouangala,
  • Guy-Francis Nzengui,
  • Marina Mbani-Okoumba,
  • Claudine Kombila-Koumavor,
  • Gael Mourembou,
  • Brama Ibrahim,
  • Angelique Ndjoyi-Mbiguino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/covid5010003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 3

Abstract

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(1) Objectives: The burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Gabon is unknown. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) G/M antibodies in PLHIV in Libreville from April 2022 to April 2023 after the fourth wave of the pandemic. We used the WANTAI SARS-CoV-2 Ab ELISA targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike, receptor-binding domain. (3) Results: Among 480 samples tested, the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was 87.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 77.7–97.3%). History of SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, ART treatment, and TCD4 lymphocyte count were not found to be associated with the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among the study participants. However, having a detectable viral load (p = 0.0001), being vaccinated (COVID-19 vaccine, p = 0.04), and a history of COVID-19 (p < 0.0001) symptoms were associated with a higher risk of having anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. (4) Conclusions: By early 2023, PLHIV in Gabon had high rates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in PLHIV in Gabon. This study provides further evidence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in the absence of any vaccination in a particular target population. The surveillance of diseases of global health concern in PLHIV is crucial to estimate population-level exposure and inform public health responses.

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