Seroprevalence and levels of IgG antibodies after COVID-19 infection or vaccination

Abstract

Background In a country-wide seroprevalence study of COVID-19 in Estonia, we aimed to determine the seroprevalence and the dynamics of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination or positive PCR-test. Methods Leftover blood samples were selected between 8 February and 25 March 2021, by SYNLAB Estonia from all counties and age groups (0–9, 10–19, 20–59, 60–69, 70–79 and 80–100 years) proportionally to the whole Estonian population and tested for IgG against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (anti-S-RBD IgG) using Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay. Antibody levels after positive PCR-test or vaccination were described by exponential increase-decrease models. Results According to total of 2517 samples, overall seroprevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 20.1% (18.5–21.7%), similar in all age groups, but varied between counties. If individuals vaccinated with the first dose at least 14 d before antibody measurement were assumed to be seronegative, the overall seroprevalence was 15.8% (14.4–17.3%), 4.0-fold larger than the proportion of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of seropositive individuals (n = 506) 194 (38.3%; 33.8–43.1%) had not had positive PCR-test or been vaccinated. According to exponential increase-decrease model, the peak of anti-S-RBD IgG in a 52-year-old (median age of PCR-positive and/or vaccinated individuals) was significantly higher after vaccination compared with positive PCR-test (22,082 (12,897–26,875) vs. 6732 (2321–8243) AU/mL), but half-life was similar (26.5 (6.9–46.1) vs. 38.3 (8.2–68.5) d). Conclusions One year after the start of COVID-19 pandemic the actual prevalence of infection is still underestimated compared with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Older compared with younger individuals have lower anti-S-RBD IgG level after vaccination, but similar decline rate.