The COVID-19 wave was already here: High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among staff and students in a Cameroon University


Submitted: 25 May 2022
Accepted: 3 June 2022
Published: 27 January 2023
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Authors

  • Andrillene Laure Deutou Wondeu Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon; Department of Biology and Interdipartimental Center for Comparative Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
  • Beatrice Metchum Talom Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Giulia Linardos Hospital for Children “Bambino Gesù”, Rome, Italy.
  • Barnes Tanetsop Ngoumo Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Aïchatou Bello Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Aurele Marc Ndassi Soufo Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Aimé Cesaire Momo Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Christian Doll Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon; Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany; Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
  • Alaric Talom Tamuedjoun Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Jules-Roger Kiuate Laboratory of molecular biology and immunopathology, Evangelical University of Cameroon, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
  • Giulia Cappelli Institute for Biological Systems, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
  • Cristina Russo Hospital for Children “Bambino Gesù”, Rome, Italy.
  • Carlo Federico Perno Hospital for Children “Bambino Gesù”, Rome, Italy.
  • Hyppolite K. Tchidjou Department of Pediatric Emergency, Amiens University Medical Center, Amiens, France.
  • Lucia Scaramella Unit of Food Biotechnology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M.Aleandri”, Rome, Italy.
  • Andrea Galgani Department of Biology and Interdipartimental Center for Comparative Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Background: Seroprevalence studies, to estimate the proportion of people that has been infected by SARS-CoV-2 are importance in African countries, where incidence is among the lowest in the world.
Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 within a university setting of Cameroon.
Methods: A cross-sectional study performed in December 2020 - December 2021, among students and staffs of the Evangelical University of Cameroon. COVID-19 antigen rapid detection test (RDT) was performed using Standard Q Biosensor, and one year after SARS-CoV-2 antibody-test was performed within the same population using RDT and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA).
Results: 106 participants were enrolled (80% students), female sex was the most represented. Positivity to SARS-CoV-2 was 0.0% based on antigen RDTs. The seroprevalence of SARSCoV- 2 antibodies was estimated at 73.6% (95% CI. 64.5-81.0) for IgG and 1.9% (95% CI. 0.2-6.8) for IgM/IgG with RDTs, and 91.9% (95% CI. 84.7-96.4) for anti-nucleocapsid with CLIA. 95.3% (101) reported having developed at least one of the known COVID-19 symptoms (cough and headache being the most common). 90.3% (28) of people who experienced at least one of these symptoms developed IgG antibodies. 40.6% (43) of participants took natural herbs, whereas 55.7% (59) took conventional drugs. The most used herb was Zingiber officinale, while the most used drugs were antibiotics.
Conclusion: In this Cameroonian University community, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence is high, with a greater detection using advanced serological assays. This indicates a wide viral exposure, and the need to adequate control measures especially for those experiencing any related COVID-19 symptoms.


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Deutou Wondeu, A. L., Talom, B. M., Linardos, G., Ngoumo, B. T., Bello, A., Ndassi Soufo, A. M., Momo, A. C., Doll, C., Tamuedjoun, A. T., Kiuate, J.-R., Cappelli, G., Russo, C., Perno, C. F., Tchidjou, H. K., Scaramella, L., & Galgani, A. (2023). The COVID-19 wave was already here: High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among staff and students in a Cameroon University. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2023.2242

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