Sero-prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Chattogram Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh

Abstract Background Seroprevalence studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) assess the degree of undetected transmission in the community. Different groups, such as healthcare workers (HCWs), garment workers, and others, are deemed vulnerable due to their workplace hazards and immense responsibility. Purpose The present study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody (IgG) and its association with different explanatory variables. Further, the antibody was quantified to assess the increasing or decreasing trend over different intervention periods and according to other factors. Methodology This cross-sectional study observed health workers - doctor, nurse, hospital staff, etc. in and outpatients (non-COVID-19) and garments workers of Chattogram metropolitan area (CMA, N=748) from randomly selected six government and private hospitals and two garment factories. Study subjects were included upon written consent, fulfilling specific inclusion criteria. Venous blood was collected following standard aseptic methods. Qualitative and quantitative ELISA was used to identify and quantify antibodies (IgG) in serum samples. Descriptive, univariable, and multivariable statistical analysis was performed. Results Overall seroprevalence was estimated as 66.99% (95% CI: 63.40%-70.40%). Seroprevalence among HCWs, in and outpatients, and garments workers were 68.99 % (95% CI: 63.8%-73.7%), 81.37 % (95% CI: 74.7%-86.7%), and 50.56 % (95% CI: 43.5%-57.5%), respectively. Seroprevalence was 44.47 % (95% CI: 38.6%-50.4%) in the non-vaccinated population while it was significantly ( p <0.001) higher in the population receiving the first dose (61.66 %, 95% CI: 54.8%-68.0%) and both (first and second) doses of vaccine (100%, 95% CI: 98.4%-100%). The mean titer of the antibody was estimated as 255.46 DU/ml and 159.08 DU/ml in the population with both doses and one dose of vaccine, respectively, compared to 53.71 DU/ml of the unvaccinated population. A decreasing trend in the titer of antibodies with increasing time after vaccination was observed. Conclusions Seroprevalence and mean antibody titer varied according to different factors in this study. The second dose of vaccine significantly increased the seroprevalence and titer, which decreased to a certain level over time. Although antibody was produced following natural infection, the mean titer was relatively low compared to antibody after vaccination. This study emphasizes the role of the vaccine in antibody production. Based on the findings, interventions like continuing extensive mass vaccination of the leftover unvaccinated population and bringing the mass population with a second dose under a third dose campaign might be planned.