Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Asymptomatic Bangladeshi Female Garment Workers

Abstract

Antibody titer study is very important to assess the degree of undetected transmission in the community. This study aimed to estimate the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a group of asymptomatic female workers and compare the clinical and socio-demographic parameters of seropositive and seronegative subjects in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 285 female workers who had come to BIRDEM General Hospital for the COVID-19 test in November 2021 from different areas of Bangladesh. RBD-specific antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 were measured by using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) for all participants. Overall antibody positivity was estimated at 91.9% (262), and only 8.1% of participants had a negative IgG antibody response. Of the 262 participants 96.18% were asymptomatic. In the age group, the highest seropositivity was between 21-30 years (58%). The median IgG titer of the antibody was estimated at 578.50 AU/ml. The participants of Khulna had the highest median IgG titer of 3966 AU/ml followed by other areas (p=0.043). There was no significant difference in median IgG titer in symptomatic, asymptomatic, and vaccinated, non-vaccinated participants. Based on the geographical area Dhaka and Barisal had significantly more seropositive subjects than seronegative subjects (p = 0.001) and (p = 0.011). The high number of undiagnosed COVID-19 patients in the population is reflected in the percentage of seropositive people. Our findings will assist academics in better understanding immune status and policymakers in taking proactive measures during pandemic situations and future health emergencies.