Jenna Al-sinan

Field: Biomedical and Health Sciences 

Project Title: 

Testing COVID-19 IgG Antibody Seroprevalence in a Sample Population To Characterize Immunological Response

Abstract:

The first case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) dates back to December 31, 2019. COVID-19 spread rapidly beyond control, reaching 247 million cases today, with over 5 million deaths. The weekly average of COVID-19 cases on April 25, 2021 was 826,468. According to a January 2021 study, asymptomatic carriers account for 59% of COVID-19 cases. The aim of this research is to study seroprevalence of a sample population in Saudi Arabia, determine immune response of asymptomatic carriers, test COVID-19 antibody durability, and predict virus transmission patterns between individuals. It was tested by gathering a population sample of 1200 individuals through identifying asymptomatic carriers’ demographics such as age group, which ranged from 5 to 67,  and chronic illnesses, including hypertension, hypothyroidism, asthma, diabetes, and obesity. Data collection from the sample population was done once a month over the course of 4 months. A PCR screening preceded the serology test. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were found through a blood sample taken from subjects that were serologically tested. Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are used to detect the genetic material of the virus in a person. Serology tests detect past infections by testing for antibodies, determining the seroprevalence of a population. Results showed that 13.6% of the sample population tested positive for the serology test in the first month, and 10.8% in the second, representing the seroprevalence of the sample population. IgG levels averaged 3.78 in the first month and 2.03 in the second month, dropping by 46.3%. It was shown that antibody durability ranged between 3- 9 months. This study can be applied in the medical field as possible COVID-19 treatment; the strongest immunological responses are utilized in convalescent plasma therapy, increasing antibodies by 1:640 titre, which is the concentration of antibodies in the blood.