Trends in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Albania during the 2021-2022 pandemic year.
Albania
COVID-19
Eastern Europe
SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies
Seroprevalence
Journal
New microbes and new infections
ISSN: 2052-2975
Titre abrégé: New Microbes New Infect
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101624750
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jan 2024
Jan 2024
Historique:
received:
26
09
2023
revised:
08
11
2023
accepted:
27
11
2023
medline:
25
12
2023
pubmed:
25
12
2023
entrez:
25
12
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for understanding population immunity and providing insights into public health policies. Limited data exist on this from Albania and other Eastern European countries. This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Albania, comparing August 2021 and August 2022 data from two representative samples of the general population. The objective was to understand the temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies across age groups and assess the impacts of natural infection and vaccination on population immunity. This longitudinal study was conducted in two consecutive cross-sectional assessments 12 months apart in Albania's urban all-ages population. IgG anti-Spike-1 and anti-Nucleoprotein SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured using ELISA, focusing on seropositivity rates and antibody levels. The study encompassed 2143 and 2183 individuals in August 2021 and 2022, respectively, with the anti-S1-IgG seropositivity rate escalating from 70.9 % to 92.1 %. In 2021, seroprevalence ranged from 49.6 % (0-15 years) to 82 % (>60 years). By August 2022, it surpassed 90 % in most age groups, except 0-15 years (73.8 %). "Hybrid" immunity (COVID-19+ and Vaccine+) reached 56.6 % in 2022, or 2.8 times higher than in 2021, exhibiting the highest antibody levels compared to the only vaccinated or previously COVID-19-infected individuals. This study highlights an overall 94 % seroprevalence in the Albanian population in August 2022 and robust "hybrid" immunity, suggesting substantial protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The lower immunity in the 0-15 age group underscores the necessity for youth-targeted vaccine campaigns. These findings provide valuable insights for shaping healthcare measures and vaccination policies.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for understanding population immunity and providing insights into public health policies. Limited data exist on this from Albania and other Eastern European countries. This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Albania, comparing August 2021 and August 2022 data from two representative samples of the general population. The objective was to understand the temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies across age groups and assess the impacts of natural infection and vaccination on population immunity.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
This longitudinal study was conducted in two consecutive cross-sectional assessments 12 months apart in Albania's urban all-ages population. IgG anti-Spike-1 and anti-Nucleoprotein SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured using ELISA, focusing on seropositivity rates and antibody levels.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
The study encompassed 2143 and 2183 individuals in August 2021 and 2022, respectively, with the anti-S1-IgG seropositivity rate escalating from 70.9 % to 92.1 %. In 2021, seroprevalence ranged from 49.6 % (0-15 years) to 82 % (>60 years). By August 2022, it surpassed 90 % in most age groups, except 0-15 years (73.8 %). "Hybrid" immunity (COVID-19+ and Vaccine+) reached 56.6 % in 2022, or 2.8 times higher than in 2021, exhibiting the highest antibody levels compared to the only vaccinated or previously COVID-19-infected individuals.
Conclusion
UNASSIGNED
This study highlights an overall 94 % seroprevalence in the Albanian population in August 2022 and robust "hybrid" immunity, suggesting substantial protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The lower immunity in the 0-15 age group underscores the necessity for youth-targeted vaccine campaigns. These findings provide valuable insights for shaping healthcare measures and vaccination policies.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38143941
doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101208
pii: S2052-2975(23)00127-0
pmc: PMC10746500
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
101208Informations de copyright
© 2023 The Authors.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.