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. 2024 Jul;12(7):e1338.
doi: 10.1002/iid3.1338.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and associated factors among people living with HIV in Sierra Leone

Wei Sun  1   2   3 , Jinwen Song  4 , Sulaiman Lakoh  5   6   7 , Jinquan Chen  3 , Abdulai T Jalloh  5 , Foday Sahr  6   8 , Stephen Sevalie  6   7   8 , Darlinda F Jiba  5 , Ibrahim F Kamara  9 , Yingrong Xin  3 , Zhongyang Ye  3 , Feng Ding  10 , Li-Zhong Dai  10 , Ligui Wang  3 , Xishui Zheng  1   2 , Guang Yang  11
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and associated factors among people living with HIV in Sierra Leone

Wei Sun et al. Immun Inflamm Dis. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is an important risk factor for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), but data on the prevalence of COVID-19 among people living with HIV (PLWH) is limited in low-income countries. Our aim was to assess the seroprevalence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies and associated factors among PLWH in Sierra Leone.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of PLWH aged 18 years or older in Sierra Leone between August 2022 and January 2023. Participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antibody (immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G [IgG]) kits. Stepwise logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence with a significance level of p < .05.

Results: In our study, 33.4% (1031/3085) participants had received a COVID-19 vaccine, and 75.7% were SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive. Higher IgG seroprevalence was observed in females (77.2% vs. 71.4%, p = .001), adults over 60 years (88.2%), those with suppressed HIV RNA (80.7% vs. 51.7%, p < .001), antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced individuals (77.9% vs. 44.6%, p < .001), and vaccinated participants (80.7% vs. 73.2%, p < .001). Patients 60 years or older had the highest odds of IgG seroprevalence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.68-4.65). Female sex (aOR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.05-1.56), COVID-19 vaccination (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.27-1.86), and ART (aOR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.56-3.11) increased the odds, whereas HIV RNA ≥ 1000 copies/mL (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.26-0.40) reduced the odds of IgG seroprevalence.

Conclusions: We observed a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among PLWH in Sierra Leone. We recommend the introduction of targeted vaccination for PLWH with a high risk of severe COVID-19, especially those with an unsuppressed HIV viral load.

Keywords: HIV infection; SARS‐CoV‐2; immunoglobulin G; seroepidemiologic studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The dynamic seropositivity of IgG antibody against SARS‐CoV‐2 in PLWH of Sierra Leone. IgG, immunoglobulin G; PLWH, people living with human immunodeficiency virus; SARS‐CoV‐2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The dynamic seropositivity of IgG antibody against SARS‐CoV‐2 by vaccination in PLWH of Sierra Leone. IgG, immunoglobulin G; PLWH, people living with human immunodeficiency virus; SARS‐CoV‐2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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