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. 2023 Dec 17:7:100131.
doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100131. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Differences in SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence in the population of Cusco, Peru

Huamaní Charles  1 , Concha-Velasco Fátima  2   3 , Velásquez Lucio  4   1 , K Antich María  2   5 , Cassa Johar  2   6 , Palacios Kevin  2 , Bernable-Villasante Luz  7 , Giraldo-Alencastre Guido  8 , Benites-Calderon Eduarda  9 , Mendieta-Nuñez Sebastian  10 , Quispe-Jihuallanca Heber  11 , Quispe-Yana Matilde  12 , Zavala-Vargas Karla  13 , Hinojosa-Florez Liesbeth  2 , Ramírez-Escobar Javier  13 , Spelucin-Runciman Juan  14 , Bernabe-Ortiz Antonio  15
Affiliations

Differences in SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence in the population of Cusco, Peru

Huamaní Charles et al. Glob Epidemiol. .

Abstract

Background: The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Peru has been reported at the regional level, few studies have evaluated its spread at the provincial level, in which the mechanisms could be different.

Methods: We conducted an analytical, cross-sectional, multistage observational population study to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 at the provincial and urban/rural levels in a high-altitude setting. The sampling unit was the household, including a randomly selected family member. Sampling was performed using a data collection sheet on clinical and epidemiological variables. Chemiluminescence tests were used to detect total anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies (IgG and IgM simultaneously). The percentages were adjusted to the sampling design.

Results: The overall prevalence in the region of Cusco was 25.9%, with considerably different prevalence between the 13 provinces (from 15.9% in Acomayo to 40.1% in Canchis) and between rural (21.1%) and urban (31.7%) areas. In multivariable model, living in a rural area was a protective factor (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.76).

Conclusions: Geographic diversity and population density determine different prevalence rates, typically lower in rural areas, possibly due to natural social distancing or limited interaction with people at risk.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders nor authorities of the Gerencia Regional de Salud del Cusco had no role in the design of this study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Unlabelled Image
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of the provinces of the department of Cusco and seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies. A) La Convencion – 1047msnm, B) Calca – 2928msnm, C) Paucartambo – 2906msnm, D) Urubamba – 2871msnm, E) Anta – 3337msnm, F) Cusco – 3300msnm, G) Quispicanchi – 3150msnm, H) Paruro – 3051msnm, I) Acomayo – 3207msnm, J) Canchis – 3554msnm, K) Chumbivilcas – 3660msnm, L) Canas – 3913msnm, M) Espinar – 3915msnm.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of the provinces and districts of the department of Cusco and seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies.
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