Work

Seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin M and G antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Iwo, Nigeria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In many countries, the preliminary stage of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached its climax and serological studies are extremely important in managing public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. The Nucleocapsid protein, a highly immunogenic protein, found only in infected individuals is important in SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study was therefore designed to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins in Iwo, Nigeria, thereby providing information on the spread of the infection. METHODS: Five millilitres of blood were collected from 360 individuals visiting four selected hospitals in Iwo, Nigeria. Socio-demographic and clinical data of the participants were obtained through a structured questionnaire. SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein were detected from plasma samples using commercially available Enzyme-linked Immunoassay kits (Monobind Inc, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 21 at P < 0.05 for statistical significance. RESULTS: Out of the tested samples, 37 and 165 were positive for IgM and IgG antibodies giving a prevalence of 10.3% [95% CI: 7.5% - 13.6%] and 45.8% [95% CI: 40.8% - 50.8%], respectively. In total, 184 samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies giving an overall prevalence of 51.1% [95% CI: 45.8% - 56.1%]. Infection was associated with age; older population (35-90 years), fever, cough and muscle pain (p < 0.05). SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were detected among 11.8% and 42.6% of COVID-19 vaccine recipients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins were detected among the study population. In particular, is detecting IgM antibodies among those who have received COVID-19 vaccines. This reveals a high level of recent and past exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and continuous spread within the community.

Source: BMC Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-11850-1

Authors: Yewande Tolulope Nejo, Oladipo Olarinre Oladosu, Matthew Idowu Olatubi, Abimbola Adetokunboh Owoseni, Samuel Olatunde Dahunsi

Institutions: University of Ibadan, Bowen University

Language: English

Topic: SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090