SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among people with cystic fibrosis prior to the vaccination campaign: A seroprevalence study in two specialized centres in Northern Italy

Abstract

The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is largely unknown. We carried out a cross-sectional study between March and June 2021 with the aim of estimating the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in two CF centres in Northern Italy. Total serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 (spike) antibodies levels were measured and values ≥0.8 U/mL were considered positive. Among 434 patients aged >12 years, 64 patients had a positive result (14.7%, 95% CI: 11.5-18.4), 36 (56.3%) without experiencing any COVID-19-related symptoms. Three out of 49 transplanted patients tested positive with an odds ratio for a positive result among transplanted as compared to non-transplanted patients of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.07-1.14). No significant differences were observed between sexes, age groups, socioeconomic status and lung disease severity. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 has infected a relatively high proportion of our patients but in most cases the infection was asymptomatic.

Keywords: Antibodies; COVID-19; Cystic fibrosis; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence.

Fig. 1

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cystic fibrosis prior to the vaccination campaign by sociodemographic, disease severity groups and among patients with a positive PCR test result prior to antibody blood test. Pediatric and adult Reference Centres for Cystic Fibrosis of Lombardia, Italy, March-June 2021.