Low SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence in a cohort of Brazilian sickle cell disease patients: Possible effects of emphasis on social isolation for a population initially considered to be at very high risk
Luiza Francisco Trafane,
Vitor Antonio da Costa,
Adriana da Silva Santos Duarte,
Audrey Basso Zangirolami,
José Luiz Proenca‐Modena,
Paula deMelo Campos,
Samuel deSouza Medina,
Sara Terezinha Olalla Saad,
Marcelo Addas‐Carvalho,
Bruno Deltreggia Benites
Affiliations
Luiza Francisco Trafane
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Vitor Antonio da Costa
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Adriana da Silva Santos Duarte
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Audrey Basso Zangirolami
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
José Luiz Proenca‐Modena
Laboratory of Emerging Viruses (LEVE), Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Paula deMelo Campos
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Samuel deSouza Medina
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Sara Terezinha Olalla Saad
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Marcelo Addas‐Carvalho
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Bruno Deltreggia Benites
Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
Abstract Despite being initially considered at higher risk for severe COVID‐19, sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have mostly presented clinical severity similar to the general population. As their vulnerability to become infected remains uncertain, we assessed the seroreactivity for SARS‐CoV‐2 to estimate the prevalence of infection and possible phenotypic and socioeconomic determinants for their contagion. Serologic evaluation was performed on 135 patients with an overall prevalence of 11%; positivity was associated with older age and use of public transportation. We speculate that social distancing instructions recommended by our clinic may have contributed to lower levels of infection, but potential protection factors need further investigation.
