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Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 give important information on Covid-19 epidemic evolution in Rabat, Morocco, March 2020-February 2021


Nadia Touil
Charifa Drissi Touzani
El Mostafa Benaissa
Jalal Kasouati
Zineb Rhazzar
Hicham El Annaz
Nadia El Mrimar
Lamiae Neffah
Rachid Abi
Rida Tagajdid Rida Tagajdid
Safae El Kochri
Mariette Ducatez
Youssouf Akhouad
Ahmed Reggad
Zouhour El Kassimi
Abdelhamid Zrara
Fatna Bssaibis
ElMostapha El Fahime
Idriss Lahlou Amine
Abdelkader Belmekki
Yashpal Singh Malik
Mostafa Elouennass
Khalid Ennibi

Abstract

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease mainly affecting humans.


Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for illegible armed force individuals living in Rabat, Morocco


Method: A convenience sample (N = 2662) was conducted from May 2020 to February 2021. We used the standard neutralization assay to quantify the NAbs titers. A serum was positive when the titer was 1:4. High positive NAbs titers were defined when ≥ 1:32.


Results: Demographic and socioeconomic status did not affect seroprevalence data. An overall seroprevalence of 24,9% was found. Sera from blood donors, young recruits and auto-immune population had lower NAbs titers. However, titers were above 1:16 in 9% of the population with high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Seropositivity increased over time with values reaching peaks after the epidemic waves (2.4% in May 2020; 16.2% in August 2020; 22.7% in December 2020 and 37% in February 2021).


Conclusion: And increase of NAbs was observed over time and correlated with the post-epidemic waves of COVID-19 in Morocco.


Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Serum neutralizing assay; Seroprevalence; Rabat; Morocco.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905