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. 2023 May 26;57(suppl 1):6s.
doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2023057004782. eCollection 2023.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren in the city of São Paulo, 2020

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Gabriela Akemi Kamioka  1   2 , Geraldine Madalosso  1 , José Olimpio Moura de Albuquerque  1 , Selma Anequini Costa  1 , Paula Bisordi Ferreira  1 , Ana Paula Sayuri Sato  2 , Paula Regina Glasser  1 , Francisco Alberto Pino  3 , Patrícia Carla Piragibe Ramos Burihan  1 , Ana Carolina Aguiar de Carvalho  1 , Ana Beatriz Pagliaro Amorim  1 , Cinthya Luzia Cavazzana  1 , Caroline Cotrim Aires  1 , Ana Paula Arruda Geraldes Kataoka  1 , Elisa San Martin Mouriz Savani  1 , Thirsa Alvares Franco Bessa  1 , Breno Souza de Aguiar  4 , Marcelo Antunes Failla  4 , Edson Aparecido Dos Santos  4 , Edjane Maria Torreão Brito  4 , Maria Cristina Honório Dos Santos  4 , Luiz Artur Vieira Caldeira  1 , Solange Maria Saboia E Silva  1 , Luiz Carlos Zamarco  4 , Sandra Maria Sabino Fonseca  4 , Marcia Maria de Cerqueira Lima  4 , Ivanilda Argenau Marques  4 , Athenê Maria de Marco França Mauro  4 , Eduardo de Masi  1
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren in the city of São Paulo, 2020

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Gabriela Akemi Kamioka et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren aged 4 to 14 years living in the city of São Paulo, according to clinical, demographic, epidemiological, and social variables, during the school closure period as a measure against covid-19 spread.

Methods: A serological survey was made in September 2020 with a random sample stratified by school system (municipal public, state public and private) type. A venous blood sample was collected using the Wondfo SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test (lateral flow method) for detection of total SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to collect clinical, demographic, social, and epidemiological data.

Results: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren was of 16.6% (95%CI 15.4-17.8). The study found higher seroprevalence in the municipal (18.5%; 95%CI 16.6-20.6) and state (16.2%; 95%CI 14.4-18.2) public school systems compared to the private school system (11.7; 95%CI 10.0-13.7), among black and brown students (18.4%; 95%CI 16.8-20.2) and in the most vulnerable social stratum (18.5 %;95%CI 16.9-20.2). Lower seroprevalence was identified in schoolchildren who reported following the recommended protective measures against covid-19.

Conclusion: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is found mainly in the most socially vulnerable schoolchildren. This study can contribute to support public policies that reinforce the importance of suspending face-to-face classes and developing strategies aimed at protective measures and monitoring of the serological status of those who have not yet been included in the vaccination schedule.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a soroprevalência de anticorpos do vírus SARS-CoV-2 em escolares de quatro a 14 anos de idade residentes no município de São Paulo, segundo variáveis clínicas, demográficas, epidemiológicas e sociais, durante o período de fechamento das escolas como medida de controle da covid-19.

MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um inquérito sorológico em setembro de 2020 com amostra aleatória estratificada por tipo de rede de ensino (pública municipal, pública estadual e privada). Foi coletada amostra de sangue venoso utilizando-se o teste de imunoensaio de fluxo lateral da fabricante Wondfo para detecção de anticorpos totais contra o vírus SARS-CoV-2. Aplicaram-se questionários semiestruturados para o levantamento de dados clínicos, demográficos, sociais e epidemiológicos.

RESULTADOS: A soroprevalência de anticorpos do vírus SARS-CoV-2 em escolares foi de 16,6% (IC95% 15,4–17,8). O estudo encontrou soroprevalências mais elevadas na rede pública municipal (18,5%; IC95% 16,6–20,6) e estadual (16,2%; IC95% 14,4–18,2) em relação à rede privada (11,7; IC95% 10,0–13,7) e entre escolares da raça/cor preta e parda (18,4%; IC95% 16,8–20,2) e no estrato social mais vulnerável (18,5%; IC95% 16,9–20,2). A pesquisa identificou menores soroprevalências nos escolares que relataram seguir as medidas recomendadas de proteção contra a covid-19.

CONCLUSÃO: A soroprevalência de anticorpos contra o vírus SARS-CoV-2 atinge principalmente os escolares socialmente mais vulneráveis. Este estudo pode contribuir para embasar políticas públicas que reforcem a importância da suspensão das aulas presenciais e da necessidade de estratégias de medidas de proteção e acompanhamento do status sorológico daqueles que ainda não foram contemplados no calendário vacinal.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Spatial distribution of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren, according to the Health Surveillance Center. City of São Paulo.
Figura 1
Figura 1. Distribuição espacial da soroprevalência de anticorpos contra o vírus SARS-CoV-2 em escolares, segundo Unidade de Vigilância em Saúde. Município de São Paulo, 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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