Increased SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthy blood donors after the second pandemic wave in South-Eastern Italy: evidence for asymptomatic young donors as potential virus spreaders

Abstract

Background

Italy experienced SARS-CoV-2 spread during the second wave and the southern regions were severely affected. In this prospective study, we assessed the changes in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rates in non-vaccinated blood donors to evaluate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among healthy individuals in our geographical area.

Methods

8,183 healthy blood donors visiting the Transfusion Centre at the University Hospital “Riuniti” of Foggia (Italy) to donate blood from May 2020 to March 2021 were tested twice for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics VITROS^® 3600 through anti-SARS-CoV-2 Total and IgG reagent kit. None of the subjects had diagnosed symptomatic COVID-19 infection, and none had received vaccination.

Results

Overall, 516 out of 8,183 had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (total and IgG antibodies) (6.3%, 95% CI: 0.03–0.15%), 387 were male and 129 female. There was a significant increase of seropositive donors from May 2020 to March 2021 (p < .001). The difference in seroprevalence was significantly associated with age but not sex (2-sided p < .05 for age; 2-sided p ≥ .05 for sex) in both groups.

Conclusions

Our study showed a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in blood donors and suggests that asymptomatic individuals might contribute to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. These results may contribute to revised containment measures, priorities in vaccine campaigns and monitoring of seroprevalence in public places like Transfusion Centres. Serologic testing of blood donors may be relevant to monitor SARS-CoV-2 circulation in the general population.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• seroprevalence
• SARS-CoV-2
• antibodies
• asymptomatic patients
• blood donors

Authors’ contributions

F.A. and J.R.F. equally contributed to write this article. L.D.F., T.G. and F.A. selected blood donors, collected samples, stored samples and performed serological assays. M.D.S. and G.F. contributed to the manuscript control. A.M.F.M. and F.A. performed statistical analysis. M.M., M.C. and T.A.S. supervised laboratory assays and contributed to manuscript writing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).