SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence around the world: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Covid-19 has been one of the major concerns around the world in the last 2 years. One of the challenges of this disease has been to determine its prevalence. Conflicting results of the serology test in Covid explored the need for an updated meta-analysis on this issue. Thus, this systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of global SARS-CoV-2 serology in different populations and geographical areas. Methods To identify studies evaluating the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2, a comprehensive literature search was performed from international databases, including Medline (PubMed), Web of Sciences, Scopus, EMBASE, and CINHAL. Results In this meta-analysis, the results showed that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence is between 3 and 15% worldwide. In Eastern Mediterranean, the pooled estimate of seroprevalence SARS-CoV-2 was 15% (CI 95% 5–29%), and in Africa, the pooled estimate was 6% (CI 95% 1–13%). In America, the pooled estimate was 8% (CI 95% 6–11%), and in Europe, the pooled estimate was 5% (CI 95% 4–6%). Also the last region, Western Pacific, the pooled estimate was 3% (CI 95% 2–4%). Besides, we analyzed three of these areas separately. This analysis estimated the prevalence in subgroups such as study population, diagnostic methods, sampling methods, time, perspective, and type of the study. Conclusion The present meta-analysis showed that the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 has been between 3 and 15% worldwide. Even considering the low estimate of this rate and the increasing vaccination in the world, many people are still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords

• Covid-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• Global seroprevalence
• Serum antibodies (IgG and/or IgM)
• Systematic review
• Meta-analysis