Distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Immunoglobulins G and M among Frontline Health Workers in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State, Nigeria
Sotonye L. Gillis-Harry *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Beauty E. Echonwere-Uwikor
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Evelyn M. Eze
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The fight against Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) globally among front line health workers has been a challenging task, it encompasses working lengthy hours at the isolation Centre’s, intensive care units, emergency departments and molecular laboratories, and also been exposed to pathogens, fatigue, and psychological distress. This has led to high morbidity and mortality rate among front line health workers all over the globe.
Aim: This study aimed at determining the distribution of SARS CoV -2 IgG and IgM among frontline health workers in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A total of 100 frontline Covid-19 health workers were recruited for this study comprising 48 males and 52 females with ages between 23 and 49 years and included janitors, hygienist, nurses, data Officers, logistics and ambulance drivers, physicians, and medical laboratory scientists, working at the molecular laboratories, sample collection booths and isolation center. The bio-data of the subjects were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire. Only subjects who gave informed consent were recruited for this study. 60ul of capillary blood was collected from each participant using an aseptic technique and immediately followed by the analysis of SAR-CoV-2 IgM and IgG using a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay technique.
Results: Results from this study showed a total of forty-two (42) 42% subjects were reactive to IgG antibodies while fifty-eight (58) 58% subjects were non-reactive to IgG antibodies also a total of Twenty-One (21) 21% subject were reactive to IgM antibodies while a total of seventy-nine (79) 79% subjects were none reactive to IgM antibodies. A total of nine (9) subjects who were exposed to SAR-CoV-2 for more than one year were reactive to SAR-Cov-2 IgM and IgG antibodies, while a total of two (2) subjects who were exposed to SAR-CoV-2 for less than one year were reactive to SAR-Cov-2 IgM and IgG antibodies and the difference (p ₌ 0.013) was statistically significant. Also, a higher number of subjects within the 20-29 age bracket were reactive to SAR-CoV-2 IgM antibodies while subjects with in the age bracket of 30-39 were more reactive to IgG antibodies.
Conclusion: This study reveals that serological testing is an ideal approach in assessing the proportion of frontline health workers who might have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 as part of effort in combating COVID-19 disease globally.
Keywords: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), frontline health workers, immunoglobulin
How to Cite
References
Alasia DD, Maduka O. Prevalence and pattern of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Rivers State Nigeria. Occupational Diseases and Environmental Medicine. 2021;9(1):20-32.
Du J, Dong LU, Wang T, Yuan C, Fu R, Zhang L, Liu B, Zhang M, Yin Y, Qin J, Bouey J. Psychological symptoms among frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. General Hospital Psychiatry. 2020;67:144.
Wang X, Guo X, Xin Q, Pan Y, Hu Y, Li J. Neutralizing antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Inpatients and Convalescent Patients. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2020b;20:1–7.
Wang MY, Zhao R, Gao LJ, Gao XF, Wang DP, Cao JM. SARS-CoV-2: Structure, biology, and structure-based therapeutics development. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2020a; 10:587269.
Hu B, Guo H, Zhou P, Shi ZL. Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2021;19(3):141-154.
Yüce M, Filiztekin E, Özkaya KG. COVID-19 diagnosis: A review of current methods. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 2021;172: 112752.
Schroeder Jr HW, Cavacini L. Structure and function of immunoglobulins. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010;125(2):S41-S52.
Zhang X, Calvert RA, Sutton BJ, Doré KA. IgY: A key isotype in antibody evolution. Biological Reviews. 2017;92(4): 2144-2156.
Bruce AK, Ramesh B, Angus MS, Stephen FC, Marvin SP. Structure, function, and therapeutic use of IgM antibodies. Antibodies. 2020;9(53):1-35.
Cruse JM, Lewis RE. Immunoglobulin synthesis, properties and function. In: Boca Raton, Atlas of immunology (Second edition.). London. 2010;173.
Mahto M, Banerjee A, Biswas B, Kumar S, Agarwal N, Singh PK. Seroprevalence of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 and its determinants among healthcare workers of a COVID-19 dedicated hospital of India. American Journal of Blood Research. 2021;11(1):44–52.
Asuquo MI, Effa E, Out A, Ita O, Udoh U, Umoh V, Gbotosho O, Ikpeme A, Ameh S, Egbe W, Etok M, Ekpenyong A, Guck J. Prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among clinic staff and patients. MedRxiv, 2020-2027; 2020.
Moses O, Ugochi EE, Okeke HU, Francis OI. An assessment of the environmental impacts of land use dynamics in Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology. 2020;14(10):41-55.
Murin CD, Wilson IA, Ward AB. Antibody responses to viral infections: A structural perspective across three different enveloped viruses. Nature Microbiology. 2019;4(5):734-747.
Milazzo L, Lai A, Pezzati L, Oreni L, Bergna A, Conti F, Meroni C, Minisci D, Galli M, Corbellino M, Antinori S. Ridolfo L. Dynamics of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers at a COVID-19 referral hospital in Milan, Italy. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2021;78:541-547.
Vaezi A, Fakhim H, Abbasi S, Masoudi S, Rizi MH, Haghjooy Javanmard S. The seroprevalence and seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers during the Third Pandemic Wave. Antibodies. 2022;12(1):1- 2.
Chen Y, Tong X, Wang J, Huang W, Yin S, Huang R, Yang H, Chen Y, Huang A, Liu Y, Chen Y. High SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 patients. Journal of Infection. 2020;81(3):420-426.
Hossain A, Nasrullah SM, Tasnim Z, Hasan MK, Hasan MM. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among health care workers prior to vaccine administration in Europe, the USA and East Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. E Clinical Medicine. 2021;33: 100770.
Saberian P, Falahi S, Baratloo A, Hasani-Sharamin P, Ahmadzade A, Jamshididana M, Ahmadihatam Z. Changes in COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies in emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2022;52: 59-63.
Yang HS, Costa V, Racine-Brzostek SE. Association of age with SARS-COV-2 antibody response. Journal of American Medical Association. 2021;4(3):e214302.