IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic blood donors at two time points in Karachi.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

An estimated 1.5 million cases were reported in Pakistan until 23 March, 2022. However, SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing capacity has been limited and the incidence of COVID-19 infections is unknown. Volunteer healthy blood donors can be a control population for assessment of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the population. We determined COVID-19 seroprevalence during the second pandemic wave in Karachi in donors without known infections or symptoms in 4 weeks prior to enrollment.

Materials and methods

We enrolled 558 healthy blood donors at the Aga Khan University Hospital between December 2020 and February 2021. ABO blood groups were determined. Serum IgG reactivity were measured to spike and receptor binding domain (RBD) proteins.

Results

Study subjects were predominantly

SUBMITTER: Hasan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9401161 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature