Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody seroprevalence in Lebanon: a population-based cross-sectional study.
IJID Reg
; 2: 184-190, 2022 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35721422
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
The World Health Organization has promoted the use of serological testing as a rapid and accurate technique for the detection of immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In Lebanon, a better understanding of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is needed to develop effective measures for prevention and to plan an appropriate national vaccination program. This study aimed to measure the immunity status in Lebanon.Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, the population comprised male and female Lebanese and non-Lebanese residents of Lebanon between the ages 15 and 75. The exclusion criteria included same household, symptomatic individuals, and extremes of age (< 15 and > 75). Representative testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay/ECLIA) was used to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lebanon.Results:
In total, 13 755 participants were recruited over a 6-month period. Of these, 3168 (23.03%) individuals tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2, with levels of positivity varying among districts. A higher level of seropositivity was detected in the female participants.Conclusion:
Seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 varied within Lebanon, but was comparable to the levels reported in the MENA region at the time of the study. The seroprevalence documented in this study represents a level of immunity that is not protective at the national level.Funding:
This study was funded by the Lebanese American University School of Medicine.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
IJID Reg
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Líbano