SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Prevalence Among Blood Donors at a Southern Nigerian Teaching Hospital in the Post-Pandemic Context

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern but remains a global health threat. However, diminishing testing rates in health facilities constitutes a barrier to effective disease surveillance in Nigeria. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthy Nigerian blood donors in the post-pandemic era. Methods: A cross-sectional study of consenting voluntary blood donors was conducted in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between January and April, 2024. A rapid lateral flow device, the Standard Q IgG-IgM COVID-19 rapid test (SD Biosensor, Republic of South Korea) was used to test their blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. Data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics with statistical significance set at p≤ 0.05. Results: Of 274 blood donors tested, the majority, 227 (82.8%) were males, 123 (44.9%) were in the 21-30-year age bracket and blood group O, 213 (77.7%) was predominant. Seventy-five (27.4%) tested positive for IgM, 90 (32.8%) had IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies while 34 (12.4%) had both IgM and IgG. Of 75 donors with IgM antibodies, 17 (44.0%) belonged to blood group A. The association between ABO blood group and IgM seropositivity was significant (p= 0.036). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a notable seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Nigerian blood donors indicating ongoing viral circulation and highlighting the association between ABO blood group and recent infections. The findings underscore the importance of serosurveillance in monitoring community-level transmission in the post-pandemic era.