SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019–2022

Evan M. Bloch; Dorothy Kyeyune; Jodie L. White; Henry Ddungu; Swetha Ashokkumar; Feben Habtehyimer; Owen Baker; Ronnie Kasirye; Eshan U. Patel; M. Kate Grabowski; Ezra Musisi; Khan Moses; Heather A. Hume; Irene Lubega; Ruchee Shrestha; Mahnaz Motevalli; Reinaldo E. Fernandez; Steven J. Reynolds; Andrew D. Redd; Hellen Wambongo Musana; Aggrey Dhabangi; Joseph Ouma; Priscilla Eroju; Telsa de Lange; Mary Glenn Fowler; Philippa Musoke; Susan L. Stramer; Denise Whitby; Peter A. Zimmerman; Jeffrey McCullough; Jaiprasath Sachithanandham; Andrew Pekosz; Raymond Goodrich; Thomas C. Quinn; Paul M. Ness; Oliver Laeyendecker; Aaron A.R. Tobian

doi:10.1111/trf.17449

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019–2022

Evan M. Bloch, Dorothy Kyeyune, Jodie L. White, Henry Ddungu, Swetha Ashokkumar, Feben Habtehyimer, Owen Baker, Ronnie Kasirye, Eshan U. Patel, M. Kate Grabowski, Ezra Musisi, Khan Moses, Heather A. Hume, Irene Lubega, Ruchee Shrestha, Mahnaz Motevalli, Reinaldo E. Fernandez, Steven J. Reynolds, Andrew D. Redd, Hellen Wambongo MusanaAggrey Dhabangi, Joseph Ouma, Priscilla Eroju, Telsa de Lange, Mary Glenn Fowler, Philippa Musoke, Susan L. Stramer, Denise Whitby, Peter A. Zimmerman, Jeffrey McCullough, Jaiprasath Sachithanandham, Andrew Pekosz, Raymond Goodrich, Thomas C. Quinn, Paul M. Ness, Oliver Laeyendecker, Aaron A.R. Tobian

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: The true burden of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries remains poorly characterized, especially in Africa. Even prior to the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, countries in Africa had lower numbers of reported COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths than other regions globally. Methods: Ugandan blood donors were evaluated between October 2019 and April 2022 for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), and five variants of the S protein using multiplexed electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (MesoScale Diagnostics, Rockville, MD). Seropositivity for N and S was assigned using manufacturer-provided cutoffs and trends in seroprevalence were estimated by quarter. Statistically significant associations between N and S antibody seropositivity and donor characteristics in November–December 2021 were assessed by chi-square tests. Results: A total of 5393 blood unit samples from donors were evaluated. N and S seropositivity increased throughout the pandemic to 82.6% in January–April 2022. Among seropositive individuals, N and S antibody levels increased ≥9-fold over the study period. In November–December 2021, seropositivity to N and S antibody was higher among repeat donors (61.3%) compared with new donors (55.1%; p =.043) and among donors from Kampala (capital city of Uganda) compared with rural regions (p =.007). Seropositivity to S antibody was significantly lower among HIV-seropositive individuals (58.8% vs. 84.9%; p =.009). Conclusions: Despite previously reported low numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Uganda, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and increasing antibody levels among blood donors indicated that the country experienced high levels of infection over the course of the pandemic.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1354-1365
Number of pages	12
Journal	Transfusion
Volume	63
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.17449
State	Published - Jul 2023

Keywords

COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
Uganda
blood donors
epidemiology
serological testing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Immunology and Allergy
Immunology
Hematology

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10.1111/trf.17449

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Bloch, E. M., Kyeyune, D., White, J. L., Ddungu, H., Ashokkumar, S., Habtehyimer, F., Baker, O., Kasirye, R., Patel, E. U., Grabowski, M. K., Musisi, E., Moses, K., Hume, H. A., Lubega, I., Shrestha, R., Motevalli, M., Fernandez, R. E., Reynolds, S. J., Redd, A. D., ... Tobian, A. A. R. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019–2022. Transfusion, 63(7), 1354-1365. https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.17449

Bloch, EM, Kyeyune, D, White, JL, Ddungu, H, Ashokkumar, S, Habtehyimer, F, Baker, O, Kasirye, R, Patel, EU, Grabowski, MK, Musisi, E, Moses, K, Hume, HA, Lubega, I, Shrestha, R, Motevalli, M, Fernandez, RE, Reynolds, SJ, Redd, AD, Wambongo Musana, H, Dhabangi, A, Ouma, J, Eroju, P, de Lange, T, Fowler, MG, Musoke, P, Stramer, SL, Whitby, D, Zimmerman, PA, McCullough, J, Sachithanandham, J , Pekosz, A, Goodrich, R, Quinn, TC, Ness, PM, Laeyendecker, O & Tobian, AAR 2023, 'SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019–2022', Transfusion, vol. 63, no. 7, pp. 1354-1365. https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.17449

@article{555735df501c473e899e50518d2787ca,

title = "SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019–2022",

abstract = "Background: The true burden of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries remains poorly characterized, especially in Africa. Even prior to the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, countries in Africa had lower numbers of reported COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths than other regions globally. Methods: Ugandan blood donors were evaluated between October 2019 and April 2022 for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), and five variants of the S protein using multiplexed electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (MesoScale Diagnostics, Rockville, MD). Seropositivity for N and S was assigned using manufacturer-provided cutoffs and trends in seroprevalence were estimated by quarter. Statistically significant associations between N and S antibody seropositivity and donor characteristics in November–December 2021 were assessed by chi-square tests. Results: A total of 5393 blood unit samples from donors were evaluated. N and S seropositivity increased throughout the pandemic to 82.6% in January–April 2022. Among seropositive individuals, N and S antibody levels increased ≥9-fold over the study period. In November–December 2021, seropositivity to N and S antibody was higher among repeat donors (61.3%) compared with new donors (55.1%; p =.043) and among donors from Kampala (capital city of Uganda) compared with rural regions (p =.007). Seropositivity to S antibody was significantly lower among HIV-seropositive individuals (58.8% vs. 84.9%; p =.009). Conclusions: Despite previously reported low numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Uganda, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and increasing antibody levels among blood donors indicated that the country experienced high levels of infection over the course of the pandemic.",

keywords = "COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Uganda, blood donors, epidemiology, serological testing",

author = "Bloch, {Evan M.} and Dorothy Kyeyune and White, {Jodie L.} and Henry Ddungu and Swetha Ashokkumar and Feben Habtehyimer and Owen Baker and Ronnie Kasirye and Patel, {Eshan U.} and Grabowski, {M. Kate} and Ezra Musisi and Khan Moses and Hume, {Heather A.} and Irene Lubega and Ruchee Shrestha and Mahnaz Motevalli and Fernandez, {Reinaldo E.} and Reynolds, {Steven J.} and Redd, {Andrew D.} and {Wambongo Musana}, Hellen and Aggrey Dhabangi and Joseph Ouma and Priscilla Eroju and {de Lange}, Telsa and Fowler, {Mary Glenn} and Philippa Musoke and Stramer, {Susan L.} and Denise Whitby and Zimmerman, {Peter A.} and Jeffrey McCullough and Jaiprasath Sachithanandham and Andrew Pekosz and Raymond Goodrich and Quinn, {Thomas C.} and Ness, {Paul M.} and Oliver Laeyendecker and Tobian, {Aaron A.R.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 AABB.",

year = "2023",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1111/trf.17449",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "63",

pages = "1354--1365",

journal = "Transfusion",

issn = "0041-1132",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "7",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda

T2 - 2019–2022

AU - Bloch, Evan M.

AU - Kyeyune, Dorothy

AU - White, Jodie L.

AU - Ddungu, Henry

AU - Ashokkumar, Swetha

AU - Habtehyimer, Feben

AU - Baker, Owen

AU - Kasirye, Ronnie

AU - Patel, Eshan U.

AU - Grabowski, M. Kate

AU - Musisi, Ezra

AU - Moses, Khan

AU - Hume, Heather A.

AU - Lubega, Irene

AU - Shrestha, Ruchee

AU - Motevalli, Mahnaz

AU - Fernandez, Reinaldo E.

AU - Reynolds, Steven J.

AU - Redd, Andrew D.

AU - Wambongo Musana, Hellen

AU - Dhabangi, Aggrey

AU - Ouma, Joseph

AU - Eroju, Priscilla

AU - de Lange, Telsa

AU - Fowler, Mary Glenn

AU - Musoke, Philippa

AU - Stramer, Susan L.

AU - Whitby, Denise

AU - Zimmerman, Peter A.

AU - McCullough, Jeffrey

AU - Sachithanandham, Jaiprasath

AU - Pekosz, Andrew

AU - Goodrich, Raymond

AU - Quinn, Thomas C.

AU - Ness, Paul M.

AU - Laeyendecker, Oliver

AU - Tobian, Aaron A.R.

PY - 2023/7

Y1 - 2023/7

N2 - Background: The true burden of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries remains poorly characterized, especially in Africa. Even prior to the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, countries in Africa had lower numbers of reported COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths than other regions globally. Methods: Ugandan blood donors were evaluated between October 2019 and April 2022 for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), and five variants of the S protein using multiplexed electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (MesoScale Diagnostics, Rockville, MD). Seropositivity for N and S was assigned using manufacturer-provided cutoffs and trends in seroprevalence were estimated by quarter. Statistically significant associations between N and S antibody seropositivity and donor characteristics in November–December 2021 were assessed by chi-square tests. Results: A total of 5393 blood unit samples from donors were evaluated. N and S seropositivity increased throughout the pandemic to 82.6% in January–April 2022. Among seropositive individuals, N and S antibody levels increased ≥9-fold over the study period. In November–December 2021, seropositivity to N and S antibody was higher among repeat donors (61.3%) compared with new donors (55.1%; p =.043) and among donors from Kampala (capital city of Uganda) compared with rural regions (p =.007). Seropositivity to S antibody was significantly lower among HIV-seropositive individuals (58.8% vs. 84.9%; p =.009). Conclusions: Despite previously reported low numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Uganda, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and increasing antibody levels among blood donors indicated that the country experienced high levels of infection over the course of the pandemic.

AB - Background: The true burden of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries remains poorly characterized, especially in Africa. Even prior to the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, countries in Africa had lower numbers of reported COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths than other regions globally. Methods: Ugandan blood donors were evaluated between October 2019 and April 2022 for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), and five variants of the S protein using multiplexed electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (MesoScale Diagnostics, Rockville, MD). Seropositivity for N and S was assigned using manufacturer-provided cutoffs and trends in seroprevalence were estimated by quarter. Statistically significant associations between N and S antibody seropositivity and donor characteristics in November–December 2021 were assessed by chi-square tests. Results: A total of 5393 blood unit samples from donors were evaluated. N and S seropositivity increased throughout the pandemic to 82.6% in January–April 2022. Among seropositive individuals, N and S antibody levels increased ≥9-fold over the study period. In November–December 2021, seropositivity to N and S antibody was higher among repeat donors (61.3%) compared with new donors (55.1%; p =.043) and among donors from Kampala (capital city of Uganda) compared with rural regions (p =.007). Seropositivity to S antibody was significantly lower among HIV-seropositive individuals (58.8% vs. 84.9%; p =.009). Conclusions: Despite previously reported low numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Uganda, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and increasing antibody levels among blood donors indicated that the country experienced high levels of infection over the course of the pandemic.

KW - COVID-19

KW - SARS-CoV-2

KW - Uganda

KW - blood donors

KW - epidemiology

KW - serological testing

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85161995339&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85161995339&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/trf.17449

DO - 10.1111/trf.17449

M3 - Article

C2 - 37255467

AN - SCOPUS:85161995339

SN - 0041-1132

VL - 63

SP - 1354

EP - 1365

JO - Transfusion

JF - Transfusion

IS - 7

ER -

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019–2022

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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