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High SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Healthcare Workers in Bamako, Mali

Authors :
Anou M. Somboro
Yacouba Cissoko
Issiaka Camara
Ousmane Kodio
Mohamed Tolofoudie
Etienne Dembele
Antieme C. G. Togo
Djibril M. Ba
Yeya dit Sadio Sarro
Bocar Baya
Seydou Samake
Ibrahim B. Diallo
Alisha Kumar
Mohamed Traore
Bourahima Kone
Amadou Kone
Bassirou Diarra
Djeneba K. Dabitao
Mamadou Wague
Garan Dabo
Seydou Doumbia
Jane L. Holl
Robert L. Murphy
Souleymane Diallo
Almoustapha I. Maiga
Mamoudou Maiga
Sounkalo Dao
Source :
Viruses, Vol 14, Iss 1, p 102 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

In Mali, a country in West Africa, cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths among healthcare workers (HCWs) remain enigmatically low, despite a series of waves, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the country’s weak healthcare system, and a general lack of adherence to public health mitigation measures. The goal of the study was to determine whether exposure is important by assessing the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in HCWs. The study was conducted between November 2020 and June 2021. HCWs in the major hospitals where COVID-19 cases were being cared for in the capital city, Bamako, Mali, were recruited. During the study period, vaccinations were not yet available. The ELISA of the IgG against the spike protein was optimized and quantitatively measured. A total of 240 HCWs were enrolled in the study, of which seropositivity was observed in 147 cases (61.8%). A continuous increase in the seropositivity was observed, over time, during the study period, from 50% at the beginning to 70% at the end of the study. HCWs who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients and were potentially highly exposed did not have the highest seropositivity rate. Vulnerable HCWs with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma had even higher seropositivity rates at 77.8%, 75.0%, and 66.7%, respectively. Overall, HCWs had high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, likely reflecting a “herd” immunity level, which could be protective at some degrees. These data suggest that the low number of cases and deaths among HCWs in Mali is not due to a lack of occupational exposure to the virus but rather related to other factors that need to be investigated.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19994915
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Viruses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.bf2ff8e8345b5b51c5d5f1838e965
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14010102