Geographic heterogeneity of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Abidjan, Ivory Coast: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION: Few studies on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Ivory Coast have been conducted since the first case was reported on March 11, 2020. The main objective of this study was to observe and better understand the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in Abidjan. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study collected data concerning age, sex, vaccination status, municipality of origin, monthly income, frequency of malaria, and frequency of diarrheal diseases in persons who gave their informed consent. Venous blood samples were taken to test for anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG) using the VIDAS automated system. RESULTS: A total of 1504 patients were recruited and tested for antibodies directed against SARS-COV-2. Data analysis revealed the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in 53.5% of participants, 17.3% of the participants had a previous symptomatic infection, 31.4% had an asymptomatic infection, and 44.8% were never in contact with the virus. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was higher in Marcory (70.9%) and Cocody (61.1%) than in the remaining townships (48.4%). Township rates of serologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection correlated with poverty index (p = 0.025), children < 5 years' proportion in the township (p = 0.026), and levels of malaria (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: In the city of Abidjan, COVID-19 is strongly modulated by poverty, the proportion of babies and toddlers in the community, or exposure to malaria.