Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
JCR Impact Factor (IF) – 1.736
5-Year Impact Factor – 2.135
Index Copernicus  – 168.52
MEiN – 70 pts

ISSN 1899–5276 (print)
ISSN 2451-2680 (online)
Periodicity – monthly

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Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Ahead of print

doi: 10.17219/acem/161461

Publication type: research letter

Language: English

License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

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Stępień M, Świątoniowska-Lonc N, Knysz B, et al. An epidemiological and retrospective study in a cohort qualified for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in the region of Lower Silesia, Poland [published online as ahead of print on March 15, 2023]. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2023. doi:10.17219/acem/161461

An epidemiological and retrospective study in a cohort qualified for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in the region of Lower Silesia, Poland

Monika Stępień1,A,B,C,D,E,F, Natalia Świątoniowska-Lonc2,A,B,C,D,E,F, Brygida Knysz1,A,B,C,D,E,F, Beata Jankowska-Polańska2,A,B,C,D,E,F, Amadeusz Kuźniarski3,A,D,E,F, Agnieszka Piwowar4,A,D,E,F, Małgorzata Zalewska1,A,B,C,D,E,F

1 Department of Infectious Diseases, Liver Diseases and Acquired Immune Deficiencies, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

2 Center for Research and Innovation, 4th Military Teaching Hospital, Wrocław, Poland

3 Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

4 Department of Toxicology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

Abstract

Background. Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous infections have been observed with various symptoms and degrees of severity. Not all patients have had a confirmation of infection made using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or antigen tests. It has been observed that some people, including convalescents or those without knowledge of a past infection, perform serological tests to detect anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies.
Objectives. We aimed to evaluate the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in a cohort of convalescents and in individuals not previously infected, who were willing to get vaccinated. We also aimed to assess several socio-clinical factors associated with participants’ humoral responses.
Material and Methods. We recruited 298 individuals from the region of Lower Silesia who were willing to get vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2. The participants were divided into 2 groups: convalescents (group I) and participants without a past infection (group II). Several seropositive individuals in group II were identified, and they were transferred to group I, resulting in a final distribution of 171 individuals in group I and 127 individuals in group II. For serological testing, the QuantiVac anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used.
Results. The results showed the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in participants from group I, with an average number of 190.3 IU/mL. Twenty-three participants (13.45%) did not have a detectable level of antibodies despite a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 21 participants (12.28%), antibodies were detected despite no previous symptoms of infection (average level: 145.0 IU/mL).
Conclusion. Older participants were more likely to experience a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the severity of the symptoms was related to higher antibody titers seen later after COVID-19. Numerous individuals from group II were unaware of past SARS-CoV-2 infections. In several participants, antibodies were not detected despite a previous infection.

Key words

antibodies, serology, seronegative, SARS-CoV-2, asymptomatic

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