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Open Access 04-02-2023 | SARS-CoV-2 | Original Article

SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological trend before vaccination era: a seroprevalence study in Apulia, Southern Italy, in 2020

Authors: Serena Marchi, Chiara Coppola, Pietro Piu, Linda Benincasa, Francesca Dapporto, Alessandro Manenti, Simonetta Viviani, Emanuele Montomoli, Claudia Maria Trombetta

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Aim

The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the general population in the province of Bari (Apulia region, Southern Italy) during the year 2020.

Subject and methods

In this study, 1325 serum samples collected from January to December 2020 were tested for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against whole-virus SARS-CoV-2 antigen by commercial ELISA. Positive samples were further tested by in-house ELISA for the detection of anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgM and IgG antibodies and by micro-neutralization (MN) assay for the detection of neutralizing antibody.

Results

One hundred (7.55%) samples had the presence of at least one antibody class against SARS-CoV-2 by commercial ELISA, of which 88 (6.6%) showed IgG and 19 (1.4%) showed IgM antibodies. The proportion of samples with IgG antibodies increased from 1.9% in January–February to 9.6% in November–December, while no significant increase was observed for IgM. When tested by in-house ELISA and MN assay, 17.0% and 31.6% were found positive to RBD IgG and RBD IgM, respectively, while 12.0% showed neutralizing antibody.

Conclusion

The proportion of samples with SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies increased during 2020, especially in the second half of the year, consistent with data reported by the routine epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 cases. Despite the high number of reported cases, the seroprevalence values are relatively low, and only a small proportion of samples had neutralizing antibodies.

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Title: SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological trend before vaccination era: a seroprevalence study in Apulia, Southern Italy, in 2020
Authors: Serena Marchi
Chiara Coppola
Pietro Piu
Linda Benincasa
Francesca Dapporto
Alessandro Manenti
Simonetta Viviani
Emanuele Montomoli
Claudia Maria Trombetta
Publication date: 04-02-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: SARS-CoV-2
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-023-01834-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological trend before vaccination era: a seroprevalence study in Apulia, Southern Italy, in 2020

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusion

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