Predictors of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: An Egyptian population-based study

Engy Mohamed El-Ghitany; Ayat Ashour; Azza Galal Farghaly; Mona H. Hashish; Eman A. Omran

doi:10.1016/j.imj.2022.06.003

Infectious Medicine 2022, 1(2): 113-123 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imj.2022.06.003

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Open Access | Issue | Published: 17 June 2022

Predictors of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: An Egyptian population-based study

Show Author's Information Hide Author's Information Engy Mohamed El-Ghitany^{^a}(

), Ayat Ashour^{^b}, Azza Galal Farghaly^{^a}, Mona H. Hashish^{^c}, Eman A. Omran^{^c}

Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Keywords:

COVID-19, Predictors, Seroprevalence, Anti-spike, Anti-nucleocapsid

Cite this article:

El-Ghitany EM, Ashour A, Farghaly AG, et al. Predictors of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: An Egyptian population-based study. Infectious Medicine, 2022, 1(2): 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imj.2022.06.003

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Abstract Full text About this article

Abstract

Background

Population-based studies on the determinants of COVID-19 seroprevalence constitute a cornerstone in guiding appropriate preventive measures. Such studies are scarce in Egypt, thus we conducted this study to explore risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Methods

This survey included 2919 participants from 10 Egyptian governorates. Sera were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antibodies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify associated factors and predictors of seropositivity regarding sociodemographic factors, clinical data, and personal practices of participants. A subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the occupational risks of seropositivity.

Results

Seropositivity was recorded in 1564 participants (53.6%). Independent predictors of seropositivity included non-smokers (aOR = 1.817; 95% CI: 1.407–2.346, p = 0.000), having blood group A (aOR = 1.231; 95% CI: 1.016–1.493, p = 0.034), a history of COVID-19 infection (aOR = 2.997; 95% CI: 2.176–4.127, p = 0.000), COVID-19 vaccination (aOR = 4.349; 95%CI: 2.798–6.759, p = 0.000), higher crowding index (aOR = 1.229; 95% CI: 1.041–1.451, p = 0.015), anosmia and/or ageusia (aOR = 3.453; 95% CI: 2.661–4.481, p = 0.000) and history of fever (aOR = 1.269; 95% CI: 1.033–1.560, p = 0.023). Healthcare worker and Obesity/overweight were additional significant predictors of seropositivity among the working participants (aOR = 1.760; 95% CI: 1.301–2.381, p = 0.000 and aOR = 1.384; 95% CI: 1.059–1.808, p = 0.019, respectively). Additional factors showing association with seropositivity in the univariate analysis were: female gender, age group (15–39 years), higher educational level (preparatory and above), lack of environmental disinfection and having roommates at the workplace. There was a positive correlation between the titers of both antibodies. Age was weakly correlated with anti-S titer, while anti-N was significantly correlated with the number of protective measures applied by the participants. Both antibodies were significantly correlated with adult BMI, while both were significantly negatively correlated with the smoking index.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was associated with some personal and behavioral and occupation-related factors. Fever and anosmia and/or ageusia were the symptoms mostly associated with seropositivity.

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About this article

Predictors of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: An Egyptian population-based study

Show Author's information Hide Author's Information Engy Mohamed El-Ghitany^{^a}(

), Ayat Ashour^{^b}, Azza Galal Farghaly^{^a}, Mona H. Hashish^{^c}, Eman A. Omran^{^c}

Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was associated with some personal and behavioral and occupation-related factors. Fever and anosmia and/or ageusia were the symptoms mostly associated with seropositivity.

Keywords: COVID-19, Predictors, Seroprevalence, Anti-spike, Anti-nucleocapsid

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Publication history

Received: 01 May 2022

Revised: 02 June 2022

Accepted: 14 June 2022

Published: 17 June 2022

Issue date: June 2022

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all participants and authorities and to the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) for supporting this work.

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This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)