Rapid Immune Tests SARS-COV-2 – An Experience in Beira Baixa

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 affects the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, causing severe infections. Since it is a pathology with a high level of transmissibility, it becomes central to mass testing. In addition, there was also a need to monitor the epidemic through serological tests. Objective: Evaluate the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the community residing in Beira Baixa through immunological screening tests. Materials and methods: Analytical, cross-sectional, and observational study, whose sample consists of 206 individuals. Data collection took place between February and April 2021, in the laboratories of the Dr. Lopes Dias Higher School of Health. Verbal informed consent, a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and the serological test were applied. Results: Of the total number of participants, 15.5% admitted to having had COVID-19, of which 0.5% suspected they had been infected and 84% said they had never been infected. Regarding the presence of antibodies, 2.9% of the tests performed were positive for the presence of IgM's while 30.1% were positive for the presence of IgG's. Regarding vaccination, at the time of the investigation only 10.2% of the participants were vaccinated, of which 9.7% had IgG antibodies. Conclusion: Rapid serological tests can provide information about the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, thus being a very advantageous tool for immunity studies.