Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Blood Donors during the Third    Wave of Pandemic in Northern Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in blood donors during the third wave of COVID 19 pandemic. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from May to Jun 2021. Methodology: A total of 1023 blood donors were enrolled in this study according to calculated sample size using World Health Organization calculator. Blood samples were collected with aseptic technique for testing of transfusion associated infections including syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and the Human Immunodeficiency syndrome Virus along with additional testing for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Results: 188(18.3%) out of 1023 blood donors were found out to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. The age of donors ranged from 18-65 years with a mean age of 28.80±7.40 years. There was statistically significant association between symptoms and seropositivity (p=0.001). Most common symptoms were respiratory and least common were gastrointestinal. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 IgG was found in a significant percentage of blood donors which indicated a widespread virus circulation in our population during the third wave of pandemic in Pakistan.

Keywords

• Blood donors, COVID-19 IgG antibody, SARS-CoV-2