Immune responses to Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV in individuals in Sri Lanka.

As there are limited data of the immunogenicity of the Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV in different populations, antibody responses against different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and T cell responses, we investigated the immunogenicity of the vaccine, in individuals in Sri Lanka. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were measured in 282 individuals who were seronegative at baseline, and ACE2 receptor blocking antibodies, antibodies to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the wild-type (WT), alpha, beta and delta variants, ex vivo and cultured IFNγ ELISpot assays, intracellular cytokine secretion assays and B cell ELISpot assays were carried out in a sub cohort of the vaccinees at 4 and 6 weeks (2 weeks after the second dose). Ninety-five percent of the vaccinees seroconverted, although the seroconversion rates were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in individuals >60 years (93.3%) compared to those who were 20-39 years (98.9%); 81.25% had ACE2 receptor blocking antibodies at 6 weeks, and there was no difference in these antibody titres in vaccine sera compared to convalescent sera (p = 0.44). Vaccinees had significantly less (p < 0.0001) antibodies to the RBD of WT and alpha, although there was no difference in antibodies to the RBD of beta and delta compared to convalescent sera; 27.7% of 46.4% of vaccinees had ex vivo IFNγ and cultured ELISpot responses respectively, and IFNγ and CD107a responses were detected by flow cytometry. Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV appeared to induce a similar level of antibody responses against ACE2 receptor, delta and beta as seen following natural infection.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Colombo Municipality Region, Sri Lanka.

Background: As the Municipality Council area in Colombo (CMC) experienced the highest number of cases until the end of January 2021, in Sri Lanka, we carried out a serosurvey prior to initiation of the vaccination program to understand the extent of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was determined in 2,547 individuals between the ages of 10-86 years, by the Wantai total antibody ELISA. We also compared seroprevalence using the haemagglutination test (HAT) to evaluate its usefulness in carrying out serosurveys. Results: The overall seropositivity rate was 24.46%, while seropositivity by HAT was 18.90%. Although The SARS-CoV-2 infection detection rates by PCR were highest in the population between the ages of 20-60 years of age, there was no statistically significant difference in the seropositivity rates in different age groups. For instance, although the seropositivity rate was highest in the 10-20 age group (34.03%), the PCR positivity rate was 9.80%. Differences in the PCR positivity rates and seropositivity rates were also seen in 60-70-year-olds (8.90 vs. 30.4%) and in individuals >70 years (4.10 vs. 1.20%). The seropositivity rate of the females was 29.70% (290/976), which was significantly higher (p < 0.002) than in males 21.2% (333/1,571). Conclusions: A high seroprevalence rate (24.5%) was seen in all age groups in the CMC suggesting that a high level of transmission was seen during this time. The higher PCR positivity rates between the ages of 20-60 are likely to be due to increased testing carried out in the working population. Therefore, the PCR positivity rates, appear to underestimate the true extent of the outbreak and the age groups which were infected.

Persistence of antibody and T cell responses to the Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV vaccine in Sri Lankan individuals.

BACKGROUND: To determine the kinetics and persistence of immune responses following the Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV, we investigated immune responses in a cohort of Sri Lankan individuals. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 specific total antibodies were measured in 20-to-39 year (n=61), 40-to-59-year and those >60 years of age (n=22) by ELISA, 12 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine. ACE2 receptor blocking antibodies (ACE2R-Ab), antibodies to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the ancestral virus (WT) and variants of concern, were measured in a sub cohort. T cell responses and memory B cell responses were assessed by ELISpot assays. RESULTS: 193/203 (95.07%) of individuals had detectable SARS-CoV-2 specific total antibodies, while 67/110 (60.9%) had ACE2R-Ab. 14.3% to 16.7% individuals in the 20 to 39 age groups had detectable antibodies to the RBD of the WT and VOC, while the positivity rates of those >60 years of age was <10%. 14/49 (28.6%) had IFN γ ELISpot responses to overlapping peptides of the spike protein, while memory B cell responses were detected in 9/20 to the S1 recombinant protein. The total antibody levels and ACE2R-Ab declined after 2 to 12 weeks from the second dose, while ex vivo T cell responses remained unchanged. The decline in ACE2R-Ab levels was significant among the 40 to 59 (p=0.0007) and ≥60 (p=0.005) age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Antibody responses declined in all age groups, especially in those >60 years, while T cell responses persisted. The effect of waning of immunity on hospitalization and severe disease should be assessed by long term efficacy studies.