International Journal of Infectious Diseases (May 2024)

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in vaccine-naïve participants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali

  • Sylvain Laverdure,
  • Donatien Kazadi,
  • Kadidia Kone,
  • Viviane Callier,
  • Djeneba Dabitao,
  • Dehkontee Dennis,
  • Mory Cherif Haidara,
  • Sally Hunsberger,
  • Olivier Tshiani Mbaya,
  • Renee Ridzon,
  • Irini Sereti,
  • Katy Shaw-Saliba,
  • Esther Akpa,
  • Fatoumata Binta Bah,
  • Yi-Chi Barash,
  • Abdoul Habib Beavogui,
  • Jean-Luc Biampata,
  • Tyler Bonnett,
  • Shawn Brown,
  • Alissa Burkey,
  • Daouda Camara,
  • Sekou Camara,
  • Elfrida Cline-Cole,
  • Mamadou D Coulibaly,
  • Nadie Coulibaly,
  • Robin Dewar,
  • Mountaga Diallo,
  • Samba Diarra,
  • Seydou Doumbia,
  • Allison Eyler,
  • Karine Fouth Tchos,
  • Alyson Francis,
  • Louis Grue,
  • Helene Highbarger,
  • Jeroen Highbarger,
  • Augustin Mbala Ibanda,
  • Kadé Kallon,
  • Esaie Luzolu Kindombe,
  • Placide Mbala Kingebeni,
  • Cece Francis Kolié,
  • Perrine Lallemand,
  • Caeul Lim,
  • Emmanuel Lokilo,
  • Raphael Lumembe,
  • Ashley Louise McCormack,
  • Laura McNay,
  • Gael Mukendi,
  • Thierry Mukendi,
  • Jean Jacques Muyembe,
  • Kevin Newell,
  • Wissedi Njoh,
  • Isaac Balmayel Pankwa,
  • Elisabeth Pukuta,
  • Yogolelo Riziki,
  • Adam Rupert,
  • Seydou Samake,
  • Jennifer Sandrus,
  • Adama Sangare,
  • Mary Smolskis,
  • Gema Souto Adeva,
  • Randy Stevens,
  • Cheick Oumar Tangara,
  • Moctar Tounkara,
  • Meghan Trumbull-Kennedy,
  • Antoine Tshomba,
  • Mamadou Wague,
  • Shera Weyers,
  • Chris Worthington

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 142
p. 106985

Abstract

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Objectives: The InVITE study, starting in August 2021, was designed to examine the immunogenicity of different vaccine regimens in several countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali. Prevaccination baseline samples were used to obtain estimates of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the study population. Methods: Adult participants were enrolled upon receipt of their initial COVID-19 vaccine from August 2021 to June 2022. Demographic and comorbidity data were collected at the time of baseline sample collection. SARS-CoV-2 serum anti-Spike and anti-Nucleocapsid antibody levels were measured. Results: Samples tested included 1016, 375, 663, and 776, from DRC, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali, respectively. Only 0.8% of participants reported a prior positive SARS-CoV-2 test, while 83% and 68% had anti-Spike and anti-Nucleocapsid antibodies, respectively. Conclusions: Overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 86% over the accrual period, suggesting a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Low rates of prior positive test results may be explained by asymptomatic infections, limited access to SARS-CoV-2 test kits and health care, and inadequate surveillance. These seroprevalence rates are from a convenience sample and may not be representative of the population in general, underscoring the need for timely, well-conducted surveillance as part of global pandemic preparedness.

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