SEROPREVALENCE OF COVID-19 IGG ANTIBODIES IN SHAHREKORD COUNTY, IRAN

Background: Estimation of seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies can be used to predict the epidemic more accurately and estimate the vulnerability of the community, gain information on disease progression, and manage disease treatment. Aims: The present study was designed to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against the COVID-19 virus in the urban population of Shahrekord county (Iran). Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 690 people living in Shahrekord county referred to medical diagnostic laboratories in the county between October to December 2020 were identified, and their serum IgG levels were measured using ELISA. Chi-square and Spearman's test in SPSS 20 were used to investigate the relationship between variables. Results: Out of 690 samples, 190 were positive for IgG antibodies against COVID-19. The frequency of positive antibodies was 27.5% [CI 95%: 23.1-30 (26.9% in men and 28% in women)]. There was no significant relationship between the seroprevalence of COVID-19 and gender, occupation, marital status, and BMI (P>0.05). Seroprevalence of COVID-19 was significantly higher in individuals with a history of contact with an infected person, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms during the pandemic, individuals with a history of definitive diagnosis based on PCR, and individuals aged over 60 years (P<0.05). Discussion: Based on the results, the seroprevalence of antibodies against COVID-19 in the study population was 27.5% and more than the prevalence of the disease based on molecular screening tests. Conclusion: Determination of IgG antibodies prevalence against COVID-19 in the community to help in more accurate prediction of the epidemic can be used in managing the disease.