Sequential serological surveys in the early stages of the coronavirus disease epidemic: limitations and perspectives

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2020-01, Vol.53, p.e20200351-e20200351
• Main Authors: Vieira, Marcelo Adriano da Cunha E Silva, Vieira, Chrystiany Plácido de Brito, Borba, Amaríles de Souza, Melo, Maria Clara de Carvalho, Oliveira, Marilene de Sousa, Melo, Rodrigo Moraes, Nunes, Vanessa Veloso, Santana, Wesllany Sousa, Aguiar, Yara Amorim de
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymptomatic Diseases - epidemiology; Betacoronavirus - immunology; Brazil - epidemiology; Confidence Intervals; Coronavirus disease; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - immunology; COVID-19; False Positive Reactions; Health surveys; Humans; Immunity, Herd; Pandemic; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - immunology; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity and Specificity; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Short Communication; TROPICAL MEDICINE
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0351-2020

Estimates of the number of individuals infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are important for health planning and establishment of expectations regarding herd immunity. Seven testing rounds of a serological survey were conducted at 1-week intervals between April 19 and May 31, 2020 in Teresina municipality. RESULTS Over the 7 weeks, serological positivity increased from 0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18%-1.30%) to 8.33% (95% CI: 6.61%-10.33%), representing 33-53 persons infected for each reported case. Serological screening may be an important tool for understanding the immunity of a population and planning community interventions.