Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Transplant Recipients in a Croatian Transplant Center
A. Mrzljak1, Z. Jurekovic1, J. Pavicic Saric2, L. Antolasic3, L. Milasincic3, I. Tabain3, T. Vilibic Cavlek3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia, 2Department of Anesthesiology, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia, 3Department of Microbiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 752
Keywords: Antibodies, Kidney transplantation, Liver transplantation, N/A
Topic: Clinical Science » Infectious Disease » All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis)
Session Information
Session Name: All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis)
Session Type: Poster Abstract
Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: In Croatia, the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been reported on 25 February 2020; however, the COVID-19 seroprevalence in the liver (LTR) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is presently unknown.
*Methods: From 9 September to 13 November 2020, at the beginning of the second wave COVID-19 epidemic curve in Croatia, we performed a systematic screening for COVID-19 in outpatient solid organ transplant recipients (n=495). Serum samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Serological tests were performed by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using spike glycoprotein (S) and nucleocapsid protein (N) antigens (Vircell, Granada, Spain).
*Results: LTR (n=265) were older than KTR (n=230) (59.8±10.7 vs 51.8±12.1 years, p<0.01). Out of 495 transplant recipients, 97 (19.6%) were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG. There was no difference in the seroprevalence between LTR and KTR, 20.4% vs. 18.7%, respectively, p>0.05. Anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG were found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. However, seropositive patients reported a significantly higher incidence of fever (25.3% vs. 12.8%, p=0.011) and anosmia (5.2% vs 0.9% p=0.023). Out of 97 anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG positives, only 22% reported previous nasal-throat swabs RT-PCR testing, with 28.6% of them being SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive.
*Conclusions: In Croatia, the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in LTR and KTR is 19.6% with seropositivity documented in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The presence of specific symptoms increases the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. The COVID-19 screening program should be increased in Croatia.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Mrzljak A, Jurekovic Z, Saric JPavicic, Antolasic L, Milasincic L, Tabain I, Cavlek TVilibic. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Transplant Recipients in a Croatian Transplant Center [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/seroprevalence-of-sars-cov-2-antibodies-in-transplant-recipients-in-a-croatian-transplant-center/. Accessed November 21, 2024.« Back to 2021 American Transplant Congress