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. 2021 Jan 1;371(6524):79-82.
doi: 10.1126/science.abe1916. Epub 2020 Nov 11.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Kenyan blood donors

Sophie Uyoga #  1 , Ifedayo M O Adetifa #  2   3 , Henry K Karanja #  2 , James Nyagwange #  2 , James Tuju  2 , Perpetual Wanjiku  2 , Rashid Aman  4 , Mercy Mwangangi  4 , Patrick Amoth  4 , Kadondi Kasera  4 , Wangari Ng'ang'a  5 , Charles Rombo  6 , Christine Yegon  6 , Khamisi Kithi  6 , Elizabeth Odhiambo  6 , Thomas Rotich  6 , Irene Orgut  6 , Sammy Kihara  6 , Mark Otiende  2 , Christian Bottomley  3 , Zonia N Mupe  2 , Eunice W Kagucia  2 , Katherine E Gallagher  2   3 , Anthony Etyang  2 , Shirine Voller  2   3 , John N Gitonga  2 , Daisy Mugo  2 , Charles N Agoti  2 , Edward Otieno  2 , Leonard Ndwiga  2 , Teresa Lambe  7 , Daniel Wright  7 , Edwine Barasa  2 , Benjamin Tsofa  2 , Philip Bejon  2   7 , Lynette I Ochola-Oyier  2 , Ambrose Agweyu #  2 , J Anthony G Scott #  2   3 , George M Warimwe #  2   7
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Kenyan blood donors

Sophie Uyoga et al. Science. .

Abstract

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Africa is poorly described. The first case of SARS-CoV-2 in Kenya was reported on 12 March 2020, and an overwhelming number of cases and deaths were expected, but by 31 July 2020, there were only 20,636 cases and 341 deaths. However, the extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the community remains unknown. We determined the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G among blood donors in Kenya in April-June 2020. Crude seroprevalence was 5.6% (174 of 3098). Population-weighted, test-performance-adjusted national seroprevalence was 4.3% (95% confidence interval, 2.9 to 5.8%) and was highest in urban counties Mombasa (8.0%), Nairobi (7.3%), and Kisumu (5.5%). SARS-CoV-2 exposure is more extensive than indicated by case-based surveillance, and these results will help guide the pandemic response in Kenya and across Africa.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Participant flow diagram for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study of blood donors in Kenya.
Exclusion criteria for the selection of samples with complete data.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Timeline of sampling for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in blood donors in Kenya.
(A to C) Against the timeline of the sampling period, (A) is the weekly crude seroprevalence and 95% confidence interval, (B) is the daily frequency of samples collected, and (C) is the temporal distribution of samples by region. Shown are the proportion, counts, and regional distribution of donors during the study period.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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