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Pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2 before the COVID-19 pandemic era in Cameroon: A comparative analysis according to HIV-status

Article scientifique 2023 Anglais

Résumé

Background: The lower burden of COVID-19 in tropical settings may be due to preexisting cross-immunity, which might vary according to geographical locations and potential exposure to other pathogens. We sought to assess the overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and determine SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity according to HIV-status before the COVID-19 pandemic era. Methods: A cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre (CIRCB) on 288 stored plasma samples (163 HIV-positive versus 125 HIV-negative); all collected in 2017-2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic era. Abbott Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM assay was used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM). Among people living with HIV (PLHIV), HIV-1 viral load and TCD4 cell count (LTCD4) were measured using Abbott Real Time PCR and BD FACSCalibur respectively. Statistical analyses were performed, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The median [IQR] age was 25 [15-38] years. Overall seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 13.5% (39/288) of which 7.3% (21) was IgG, 7.3% (21) IgM and 1.0% (3) IgG/IgM. According to HIV-status in the study population, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 11.0% (18/163) among HIV-positive versus 16.8% (21/125) among HIV-negative respectively, p=0.21. Specifically, IgG was 6.1% (10/163) versus 8.8% (11/125), p=0.26; IgM was 5.5% (9/163) versus 9.6%, (12/125), p=0.13 and IgG/IgM was 0.6% (1/163) versus 1.6% (2/125) respectively. Among PLHIV, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity according to CD4 count was 9.2% (≥500 cells/µL) versus 1.8% (200-499 cells/µL), (OR=3.5; p=0.04) and 0.6% (<200 cells/µL), (OR=17.7; p<0.01). According to viral load, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 6.7% (≥40 copies/mL) versus 4.9% (<40 copies/mL), (OR= 3.8; p<0.01). Conclusion: Before COVID-19 in Cameroon, cross-reactive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were in circulation, indicating COVID-19 preexisting immunity. This preexisting immunity may contribute in attenuating disease severity in tropical settings like Cameroon. Of relevance, COVID-19 preexisting immunity is lower with HIV-infection, specifically with viral replication and poor CD4-cell count. As poor CD4-count leads to lower cross-reactive antibodies (regardless of viral load), people living with HIV appear more vulnerable to COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination.

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Abba, A., Fokam, J., Semengue, E., Takou, D., Ka’e, A., Ambe, C., Nka, A., Djupsa, S., Beloumou, G., Ciaffi, L., Tchouaket, M., Nayang, A., Pabo, W., Essomba, R., Halle, E., Okomo, M., Bissek, A., Leke, R., Boum, Y., Mballa, G., Montesano, C., Perno, C., Colizzi, V., Ndjolo, A. (2023). Pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2 before the COVID-19 pandemic era in Cameroon: A comparative analysis according to HIV-status. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1155855

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Auteur(s)

Aissatou Abba Joseph Fokam Ezéchiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue Désiré Takou Aude Christelle Ka’e Collins Chenwi Ambe Alex Durand Nka Sandrine Claire Djupsa Grâce Beloumou Laura Ciaffi Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket Audrey Rachel Mundo Nayang Willy Leroi Togna Pabo René Ghislain Essomba Edie G. E. Halle Marie-Claire Okomo Anne-Cecile Z-K Bissek Rose G. F. Leke Yap Boum Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa Carla Montesano Carlo Federico Perno Vittorio Colizzi Alexis Ndjolo

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