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. 2022 Mar:2:130-136.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.01.002. Epub 2022 Jan 15.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population living in Bomassa village, Republic of Congo

Line Lobaloba Ingoba  1   2 , Jean Claude Djontu  1 , Claujens Chastel Mfoutou Mapanguy  1   2 , Freisnel Mouzinga  1   2 , Steve Diafouka Kietela  1 , Christevy Vouvoungui  1   2 , Eeva Kuisma  3 , Etienne Nguimbi  2 , Francine Ntoumi  1   2   4
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population living in Bomassa village, Republic of Congo

Line Lobaloba Ingoba et al. IJID Reg. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: With limited data available from Central Africa, the aim of our study was to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 Ab prevalence in indigenous residents of Bomassa, a village located in the Sangha region in the Republic of Congo.

Methods: Plasma and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 304 healthy adult individuals, randomly recruited in May 2021 before vaccine introduction in the area. In addition, 82 plasma samples from the same area in 2019 were included as controls for the investigation of cross-reactivity against other coronaviruses. The SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected by qRT-PCR and sequenced using next-generation sequencing. ELISA was used for detecting IgG, IgM, and neutralizing Ab against SARS-CoV-2 antigens.

Results: Around 4.9% (15/304) of the participants were SARS-CoV-2 positive, with B.1.631 being the only variant identified. Of 109 individuals harboring anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and/or IgM Ab, 45.9% (50/109) had anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab. Of the control samples collected before the pandemic, 3.7% (3/82) were positive for IgG, but negative for neutralizing Ab.

Conclusions: Seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 occurred in 25% of the indigenous population sample, with almost 50% of these seropositive participants possessing neutralizing antibodies. These findings suggest that the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been underestimated in the Republic of Congo.

Keywords: Bomassa; IgG and IgM; Republic of Congo; SARS-CoV-2; antibody.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map showing the geographical location of Bomassa village
Figure 2
Figure 2
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in individuals from Bomassa village. IgG+: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive; IgG−: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG negative; IgM+: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM positive; IgM−: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM negative.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab in IgG/IgM-positive individuals. Ab: antibody; IgG+: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive; IgG−: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG negative; IgM+: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM positive; IgM−: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM negative.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Ab in IgG/IgM-positive individuals by age group, and sex. Fisher's exact test was used for the comparison of Ab seroprevalence between males and females, while the comparison of Ab seroprevalence across age groups was performed using the chi-square test. Ab: antibody
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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