SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the urban population of Qatar: An analysis of antibody testing on a sample of 112,941 individuals

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102646
• Publication Date: 2021-05-24T11:30:17Z
• Authors: Peter V. Coyle; Hiam Chemaitelly; Mohamed Ali Ben H...; Naema Hassan Abdu...; Reham Awni El Kah...; Imtiaz Gilliani; Nourah Younes; Ghada Ali A.A. Al...; Zaina Al Kanaani; Abdullatif Al Khal; Einas Al Kuwari; Adeel A. Butt; Andrew Jeremijenko; Anvar Hassan Kale...; Ali Nizar Latif; Riyazuddin Mohamm...; Hanan F. Abdul Rahim; Gheyath K. Nasrallah; Hadi M. Yassine; Mohamed Ghaith Al...; Hamad Eid Al Romaihi; Mohamed H. Al-Thani; Roberto Bertollini; Laith J. Abu-Raddad
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Sample (material); 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

The study objective was to the assess level of detectable severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in urban population Qatar. Antibody testing performed on residual blood specimens for 112,941 individuals (∼10% Qatar's population) attending routine/other clinical care between May 12 and September 9, 2020. Seropositivity 13.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 13.1–13.6%) independently associated with sex, age, nationality, encounter type, date. Median optical density (antibody titer) among antibody-positive persons 27.0 (range 1.0–150.0), higher values by nationality positively correlated likelihood having antibody titers (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.85; 95% CI 0.47–0.96). Less than two every 10 had against SARS-CoV-2, suggesting this is still far from herd immunity at risk subsequent infection waves. Higher titer appears be a biomarker repeated exposures infection.