Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Bangladesh related to novel coronavirus infection

• Published in: IJID regions 2022-03, Vol.2, p.198-203
• Main Authors: Bhuiyan, Taufiqur Rahman, Akhtar, Marjahan, Akter, Aklima, Khaton, Fatema, Rahman, Sadia Isfat Ara, Ferdous, Jannatul, Nazneen, Arifa, Sumon, Shariful Amin, Banik, Kajal C., Bablu, Arifur Rahman, Alamgir, A.S.M., Rahman, Mahbubur, Tony, Selim Reza, Hossain, Khaled, Calderwood, Stephen B., Charles, Richelle C., Ryan, Edward T., LaRocque, Regina C., Harris, Jason B., Rahman, Mustafizur, Chakraborty, Nitai, Rahman, Mahmudur, Arifeen, Shams El, Flora, Meerjady Sabrina, Shirin, Tahmina, Banu, Sayera, Qadri, Firdausi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies; Bangladesh; Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection; COVID-19; Seroprevalence
• ISSN: 2772-7076; 2772-7076
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.01.013

•30% of the Bangladeshi population were found to be seropositive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G antibodies.•The highest seroprevalence rate (64%) was found in slum areas in Bangladesh.•Thirty-eight percent and 29% of participants from urban and rural areas were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive.•The highest seroprevalence rate for coronavirus disease 2019 was observed in August 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst household members in 32 districts of Bangladesh to build knowledge about disease epidemiology and seroepidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) were assessed in people between April and October 2020. The national seroprevalence rates of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM were estimated to be 30.4% and 39.7%, respectively. In Dhaka, the seroprevalence of IgG was 35.4% in non-slum areas and 63.5% in slum areas. In areas outside of Dhaka, the seroprevalence of IgG was 37.5% in urban areas and 28.7% in rural areas. Between April and October 2020, the highest seroprevalence rate (57% for IgG and 64% for IgM) was observed in August. IgM antibody was more prevalent in younger participants, while older participants had more frequent IgG seropositivity. Follow-up specimens from patients with COVID-19 and their household members suggested that both IgG and IgM seropositivity increased significantly at day 14 and day 28 compared with day 1 after enrolment. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 had spread extensively in Bangladesh by October 2020. This highlights the importance of monitoring seroprevalence data, particularly with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants over time.