SARS-COV-2 antibody responses to AZD1222 vaccination in West Africa

Abdullahi, A; Oladele, D; Owusu, M; Kemp, SA; Ayorinde, J; Salako, A; Fink, D; Ige, F; Ferreira, IATM; Meng, B; Sylverken, AA; Onwuamah, C; Boadu, KO; Osuolale, K; Frimpong, JO; Abubakar, R; Okuruawe, A; Abdullahi, HW; Liboro, G; Agyemang, LD; Ayisi-Boateng, NK; Odubela, O; Ohihoin, G; Ezechi, O; Kamasah, JS

COVID-19 Collection

Journal article

SARS-COV-2 antibody responses to AZD1222 vaccination in West Africa

Abstract:: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact globally, yet African populations exhibited unexpectedly lower rates of severe disease and mortality. We investigated the potential role of pre-existing immunity in shaping the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Africa. METHODS: Plasma collected from Senegalese female sex workers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was screened for SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (hCoV) antibodies by virion immunoblots. For antibody-reactive plasma, paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated by fusion proteins and IFN-γ cellular responses were assessed via ELISPOT. RESULTS: We observed substantial levels of pre-existing cross-reactive immunity to SARS-CoV-2, stemming from prior exposure to seasonal hCoVs. Our antibody analysis revealed a 23.5% (47/200) seroprevalence rate against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N). These samples were then probed for antibodies against hCoV spike (S) and/or N antigens; 85.1% (40/47), 70.2% (33/47), and 95.7% (45/47) were antibody reactive against hCoV-229E, hCoV-OC43, or hCoV-HKU1, respectively. Our analysis of cellular responses also demonstrated cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 with 80.0% (36/45) and 82.2% (37/45) showing IFN-γ responses against S and N, respectively. A unique pre-pandemic subject had cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies with detectable neutralization and cross-reactive cellular responses. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that prior hCoV exposure may induce cross-reactive adaptive immunity, potentially contributing to protection against COVID-19. Our study provides unique data on the dynamics of hCoV and SARS-CoV-2 immunity in Senegal and underscores the importance of understanding the role of pre-existing immunity in shaping COVID-19 outcomes globally

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Abdullahi, A., Oladele, D., Owusu, M., Kemp, S. A., Ayorinde, J., Salako, A., Fink, D., Ige, F., Ferreira, I. A. T. M., Meng, B., Sylverken, A. A., Onwuamah, C., Boadu, K. O., Osuolale, K., Frimpong, J. O., Abubakar, R., Okuruawe, A., Abdullahi, H. W., Liboro, G., … Kamasah, J. S. (2022). SARS-COV-2 antibody responses to AZD1222 vaccination in West Africa. Nature Communications, 13(1), 6131–6131.

MLA Style

Abdullahi, A, et al. “SARS-COV-2 Antibody Responses to AZD1222 Vaccination in West Africa.” Nature Communications, vol. 13, no. 1, 2022, pp. 6131–31.

Chicago Style

Abdullahi, A, D Oladele, M Owusu, et al. 2022. “SARS-COV-2 Antibody Responses to AZD1222 Vaccination in West Africa.” Nature Communications 13 (1): 6131–31.
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