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. 2022 Mar 14;17(3):e0263679.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263679. eCollection 2022.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the city of Puerto Madryn: Underdiagnosis and relevance of children in the pandemic

Daniel Schonfeld  1 , Hugo Fernández  2 , Julio Ramírez  3 , Denisse Acosta  4 , Julián Becerra  5 , Magali Wettstein  2 , Teresa Strella  6 , Marcelo Vaccaro  5 , Sergio Arias  2 , Vilma Rodríguez Calvo  4 , Roberto Neme  5 , Daniel Pérez-Chada  7
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the city of Puerto Madryn: Underdiagnosis and relevance of children in the pandemic

Daniel Schonfeld et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Reported cases of COVID-19 may be underestimated due to mild or asymptomatic cases and a low testing rate in the general population.

Research question: What is the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population and how it compares with the data on SARS-CoV-2 cases reported by a national health surveillance system (SNVS 2.0).

Study design and methods: This was a population-based, seroepidemiological, cross-sectional study in the city of Puerto Madryn, a middle size city in the Province of Chubut, Argentina. The study period was between March 3 and April 17, 2021. The sample size was calculated using the technique of calculation of confidence intervals for a proportion. Participants were selected using stratified and cluster probability sampling. A total of 1405 subjects were invited to participate in the study. Participants were divided into the following four age groups: 1) 0 to 14, 2) 15 to 39, 3) 40 to 64, and 4) 65 or older. After informed consent was obtained, a blood sample was taken by puncture of the fingertip, and a structured questionnaire was administered to evaluate demographics, socioeconomic status, level of education, comorbidities and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. COVID-19 seroprevalence was documented using an immunoenzymatic test for the in vitro detection of IgG antibodies specific to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Results: A total of 987 participants completed the survey. Seropositivity in the full study population was 39,2% and in those under 15 years of age, 47.1%. Cases reported by the SNSV 2.0 amounted to 9.35% of the total population and 1.4% of those under 15 years of age.

Interpretation: The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the general population is four times higher than the number of cases reported by the SNVS 2.0 in the city of Puerto Madryn. For each child under the age of 15 identified by the SNVS 2.0 with COVID-19, there are more than 30 unrecognized infections. Seroepidemiological studies are important to define the real extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a particular community. Children may play a significant role in the progression of the current pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flowchart of the participants who completed the survey and attended the sampling point to perform the serological test.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Frequency of symptoms in underaged subjects.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Forest plot of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence based on reported health history.
Puerto Madryn-Chubut, 2021. N = 987.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Forest diagram of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence according to reported symptoms.
Puerto Madryn-Chubut, 2021. N = 987).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Forest diagram of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence according to reported symptoms in two age groups (under 15 and 15 and older).
Puerto Madryn-Chubut, 2021. N = 987.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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