Pre-pandemic cross-reactive antibody and cellular responses against SARS-CoV-2 among female sex workers in Dakar, Senegal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact globally, yet African populations exhibited unexpectedly lower rates of severe disease and mortality. We investigated the potential role of pre-existing immunity in shaping the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Africa.

Methods

Plasma collected from Senegalese female sex workers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was screened for SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (hCoV) antibodies by virion immunoblots. For antibody-reactive plasma, paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated by fusion proteins and IFN-γ cellular responses were assessed via ELISPOT.

Results

We observed substantial levels of pre-existing cross-reactive immunity to SARS-CoV-2, stemming from prior exposure to seasonal hCoVs. Our antibody analy

SUBMITTER: Herrera BB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11798920 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature