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. 2022 Dec 22;17(12):e0272751.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272751. eCollection 2022.

High seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals amidst vaccination roll-out in western Kenya

Shehu Shagari Awandu  1   2 , Alfred Ochieng Ochieng  2 , Benson Onyango  2 , Richard Odongo Magwanga  2   3 , Pamela Were  2 , Angeline Atieno Ochung'  2 , Fredrick Okumu  2 , Marceline Adhiambo Oloo  2 , Jim Seth Katieno  4 , Shirley Lidechi  4 , Fredrick Ogutu  5 , Dorothy Awuor  2 , Joy Nyangasi Kirungu  3 , Francis Orata  6 , Justine Achieng  5 , Bonface Oure  5 , Regina Nyunja  2 , Eric M O Muok  4 , Stephen Munga  4 , Benson Estambale  1
Affiliations

High seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals amidst vaccination roll-out in western Kenya

Shehu Shagari Awandu et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The population's antibody response is a key factor in comprehending SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology. This is especially important in African settings where COVID-19 impact, and vaccination rates are relatively low. This study aimed at characterizing the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) in both SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals in Kisumu and Siaya counties in western Kenya using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. The IgG and IgM overall seroprevalence in 98 symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in western Kenya between December 2021-March 2022 was 76.5% (95% CI = 66.9-84.5) and 29.6% (95% CI = 20.8-39.7) respectively. In terms of gender, males had slightly higher IgG positivity 87.5% (35/40) than females 68.9% (40/58). Amidst the ongoing vaccination roll-out during the study period, over half of the study participants (55.1%, 95% CI = 44.7-65.2) had not received any vaccine. About one third, (31.6%, 95% CI = 22.6-41.8) of the study participants had been fully vaccinated, with close to a quarter (13.3% 95% CI = 7.26-21.6) partially vaccinated. When considering the vaccination status and seroprevalence, out of the 31 fully vaccinated individuals, IgG seropositivity was 81.1% (95% CI = 70.2-96.3) and IgM seropositivity was 35.5% (95% CI = 19.22-54.6). Out of the participants that had not been vaccinated at all, IgG seroprevalence was 70.4% (95% CI 56.4-82.0) with 20.4% (95% CI 10.6-33.5) seropositivity for IgM antibodies. On PCR testing, 33.7% were positive, with 66.3% negative. The 32 positive individuals included 12(37.5%) fully vaccinated, 8(25%) partially vaccinated and 12(37.5%) unvaccinated. SARs-CoV-2 PCR positivity did not significantly predict IgG (p = 0.469 [95% CI 0.514-4.230]) and IgM (p = 0.964 [95% CI 0.380-2.516]) positivity. These data indicate a high seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in western Kenya. This suggests that a larger fraction of the population was infected with SARS-CoV-2 within the defined period than what PCR testing could cover.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Seroprevalence of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, by gender and age group—Kisumu and Siaya counties, Kenya, December 2021–March 2022.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Seroprevalence of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies, by gender and age group—Kisumu and Siaya counties, Kenya, December 2021–March 2022.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Vaccination status of the study participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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