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Partey FD, Obiri D, Bonney EY, Pobee ANA, Damptey IK, Ennuson K, Akwetea-Foli J, Nuokpem FY, Courtin D, Kusi KA, Mensah BA. Efficient transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between naturally exposed mothers and infants in Accra, Ghana. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10772. [PMID: 38730052 PMCID: PMC11087586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61496-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity among pregnant women and the transplacental transfer efficiency of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies relative to malaria antibodies among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive mother-cord pairs. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Accra, Ghana, from March to May 2022. Antigen- specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (nucleoprotein and spike-receptor binding domain) and malarial antigens (circumsporozoite protein and merozoite surface protein 3) in maternal and cord plasma were measured by ELISA. Plasma from both vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women were tested for neutralizing antibodies using commercial kit. Of the unvaccinated pregnant women tested, 58.12% at antenatal clinics and 55.56% at the delivery wards were seropositive for both SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and RBD antibodies. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cord samples correlated with maternal antibody levels (N antigen rs = 0.7155, p < 0.001; RBD rs = 0.8693, p < 0.001). Transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein antibodies was comparable to circumsporozoite protein antibodies (p = 0.9999) but both were higher than transfer rates of merozoite surface protein 3 antibodies (p < 0.001). SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity among pregnant women in Accra is high with a boost of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific IgG in vaccinated women. Transplacental transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 and malarial antibodies was efficient, supporting vaccination of mothers as a strategy to protect infants against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederica D Partey
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dorotheah Obiri
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Yayra Bonney
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Abigail Naa Adjorkor Pobee
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isaac Kumi Damptey
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Keren Ennuson
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jayln Akwetea-Foli
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - David Courtin
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, MERIT, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Kwadwo A Kusi
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Benedicta A Mensah
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O BOX LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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López-Farfán D, Yerbanga RS, Parres-Mercader M, Torres-Puente M, Gómez-Navarro I, Sanou DMS, Yao AF, Bosco Ouédraogo J, Comas I, Irigoyen N, Gómez-Díaz E. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and co-infection with malaria during the first wave of the pandemic (the Burkina Faso case). Front Public Health 2022; 10:1048404. [PMID: 36579069 PMCID: PMC9791192 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1048404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Africa accounts for 1.5% of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and 2.7% of deaths, but this low incidence has been partly attributed to the limited testing capacity in most countries. In addition, the population in many African countries is at high risk of infection with endemic infectious diseases such as malaria. Our aim is to determine the prevalence and circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the frequency of co-infection with the malaria parasite. We conducted serological tests and microscopy examinations on 998 volunteers of different ages and sexes in a random and stratified population sample in Burkina-Faso. In addition, nasopharyngeal samples were taken for RT-qPCR of SARS-CoV-2 and for whole viral genome sequencing. Our results show a 3.2 and a 2.5% of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and PCR positivity; and 22% of malaria incidence, over the sampling period, with marked differences linked to age. Importantly, we found 8 cases of confirmed co-infection and 11 cases of suspected co-infection mostly in children and teenagers. Finally, we report the genome sequences of 13 SARS-CoV-2 isolates circulating in Burkina Faso at the time of analysis, assigned to lineages A.19, A.21, B.1.1.404, B.1.1.118, B.1 and grouped into clades; 19B, 20A, and 20B. This is the first population-based study about SARS-CoV-2 and malaria in Burkina Faso during the first wave of the pandemic, providing a relevant estimation of the real prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and variants circulating in this Western African country. Besides, it highlights the non-negligible frequency of co-infection with malaria in African communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana López-Farfán
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - R Serge Yerbanga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.,Institut des Sciences et Techniques (INSTech), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Marina Parres-Mercader
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Manuela Torres-Puente
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV, CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Gómez-Navarro
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV, CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Adama Franck Yao
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Iñaki Comas
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV, CSIC), Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Irigoyen
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Gómez-Díaz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
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Bwire G, Ario AR, Eyu P, Ocom F, Wamala JF, Kusi KA, Ndeketa L, Jambo KC, Wanyenze RK, Talisuna AO. The COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent. BMC Med 2022; 20:167. [PMID: 35501853 PMCID: PMC9059455 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02367-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in China. This virus spread quickly and in March, 2020, it was declared a pandemic. Scientists predicted the worst scenario to occur in Africa since it was the least developed of the continents in terms of human development index, lagged behind others in achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), has inadequate resources for provision of social services, and has many fragile states. In addition, there were relatively few research reporting findings on COVID-19 in Africa. On the contrary, the more developed countries reported higher disease incidences and mortality rates. However, for Africa, the earlier predictions and modelling into COVID-19 incidence and mortality did not fit into the reality. Therefore, the main objective of this forum is to bring together infectious diseases and public health experts to give an overview of COVID-19 in Africa and share their thoughts and opinions on why Africa behaved the way it did. Furthermore, the experts highlight what needs to be done to support Africa to consolidate the status quo and overcome the negative effects of COVID-19 so as to accelerate attainment of the SDGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Bwire
- Department of Integrated Epidemiology Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies, Ministry of Health, P.O Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Patricia Eyu
- Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Ocom
- Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Kwadwo A. Kusi
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Latif Ndeketa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Kondwani C. Jambo
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW), Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rhoda K. Wanyenze
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ambrose O. Talisuna
- Epidemic Preparedness and Response Cluster, World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
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Tang JW, Caniza MA, Dinn M, Dwyer DE, Heraud JM, Jennings LC, Kok J, Kwok KO, Li Y, Loh TP, Marr LC, Nara EM, Perera N, Saito R, Santillan-Salas C, Sullivan S, Warner M, Watanabe A, Zaidi SK. An exploration of the political, social, economic and cultural factors affecting how different global regions initially reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interface Focus 2022; 12:20210079. [PMID: 35261734 PMCID: PMC8831085 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2021.0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Responses to the early (February-July 2020) COVID-19 pandemic varied widely, globally. Reasons for this are multiple but likely relate to the healthcare and financial resources then available, and the degree of trust in, and economic support provided by, national governments. Cultural factors also affected how different populations reacted to the various pandemic restrictions, like masking, social distancing and self-isolation or self-quarantine. The degree of compliance with these measures depended on how much individuals valued their needs and liberties over those of their society. Thus, several themes may be relevant when comparing pandemic responses across different regions. East and Southeast Asian populations tended to be more collectivist and self-sacrificing, responding quickly to early signs of the pandemic and readily complied with most restrictions to control its spread. Australasian, Eastern European, Scandinavian, some Middle Eastern, African and South American countries also responded promptly by imposing restrictions of varying severity, due to concerns for their wider society, including for some, the fragility of their healthcare systems. Western European and North American countries, with well-resourced healthcare systems, initially reacted more slowly, partly in an effort to maintain their economies but also to delay imposing pandemic restrictions that limited the personal freedoms of their citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian W. Tang
- Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Mike Dinn
- British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit, Emergency Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - Dominic E. Dwyer
- NSW Health Pathology - Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, and University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Lance C. Jennings
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, and Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jen Kok
- NSW Health Pathology - Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, and University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kin On Kwok
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Tze Ping Loh
- Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Linsey C. Marr
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, VA, USA
| | - Eva Megumi Nara
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Nelun Perera
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Reiko Saito
- Division of International Health, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | | | - Sheena Sullivan
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matt Warner
- British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit, Emergency Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - Aripuanã Watanabe
- Department of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Sabeen Khurshid Zaidi
- Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences affiliated with National University of Medical Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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