A study of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in Duhok City, Iraq

Authors

  • Nawfal R Hussein Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7813-9198
  • Guleer H Shahab Department of Health Behavior and Policy, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
  • Narin A Rasheed Department of Medical laboratory Technology, College of Health and Medical Technology-Shekhan, Duhok Polytechnic University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Alind N Ahmed Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Reving S Salih Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Ahmed S Mahdi Childhood Friends Hospital of Amedi, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Sabeeha A Mansour Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Shaveen Mahdi Duhok Maternity Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
  • Ibrahim A Naqid Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Nawshan Ibrahim Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Dildar H Musa Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4319-9999
  • Zana SM Saleem Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17518

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Antibody, IgG, Seropositivity, Duhok Iraq

Abstract

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the positivity rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors.

Methodology: Data and blood samples were collected between January 10th and December 30th, 2021 based on COVID-19 infection by using a designated questionnaire. The blood samples were used for the detection of total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Results: 743 participants were recruited and 62.58% of them were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among these, 56.34% denied any symptoms of COVID-19. A higher positivity rate was found among females than men (OR = 1.5, CI = 1.1-2.0, p = 0.0073). Participants that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past had a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies, and were nearly four times more likely to develop antibodies (OR = 4.0, CI = 2.4-6.8, p < 0.0001). Interestingly, only 3% of the participants with previous COVID-19 were seronegative while 46.54% were positive for antibodies without having a history of COVID-19 infection. Participants that reported symptoms were 2.6 times more likely to develop antibodies (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.9-3.6, p < 0.0001). Lastly, we found age to be significantly associated with the production of antibodies (CI = 13.3-14.7, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The information from this study can be used to mitigate and develop tailored vaccination efforts and plan evidence-based strategies to better mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Kurdistan-Iraq.

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Published

2023-07-27

How to Cite

1.
Hussein NR, Shahab GH, Rasheed NA, Ahmed AN, Salih RS, Mahdi AS, Mansour SA, Mahdi S, Naqid IA, Ibrahim N, Musa DH, Saleem ZS (2023) A study of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in Duhok City, Iraq. J Infect Dev Ctries 17:937–943. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17518

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 07: July 2023

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Nawfal R Hussein, Guleer H. Shahab, Narin A. Rasheed, Alind N. Ahmed, Reving S Salih, Ahmed S Mahdi, Sabeeha A. Mansour, Shaveen Mahdi, Ibrahim A Naqid, Nawshan Ibrahim, Dildar H. Musa, Zana S. M. Saleem

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