Distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Immunoglobulins G and M among Frontline Health Workers in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: The fight against Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) globally among front line health workers has been a challenging task, it encompasses working lengthy hours at the isolation Centre’s, intensive care units, emergency departments and molecular laboratories, and also been exposed to pathogens, fatigue, and psychological distress. This has led to high morbidity and mortality rate among front line health workers all over the globe.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the distribution of SARS CoV -2 IgG and IgM among frontline health workers in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 frontline Covid-19 health workers were recruited for this study comprising 48 males and 52 females with ages between 23 and 49 years and included janitors, hygienist, nurses, data Officers, logistics and ambulance drivers, physicians, and medical laboratory scientists, working at the molecular laboratories, sample collection booths and isolation center. The bio-data of the subjects were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire. Only subjects who gave informed consent were recruited for this study. 60ul of capillary blood was collected from each participant using an aseptic technique and immediately followed by the analysis of SAR-CoV-2 IgM and IgG using a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay technique.

Results: Results from this study showed a total of forty-two (42) 42% subjects were reactive to IgG antibodies while fifty-eight (58) 58% subjects were non-reactive to IgG antibodies also a total of Twenty-One (21) 21% subject were reactive to IgM antibodies while a total of seventy-nine (79) 79% subjects were none reactive to IgM antibodies. A total of nine (9) subjects who were exposed to SAR-CoV-2 for more than one year were reactive to SAR-Cov-2 IgM and IgG antibodies, while a total of two (2) subjects who were exposed to SAR-CoV-2 for less than one year were reactive to SAR-Cov-2 IgM and IgG antibodies and the difference (p ₌ 0.013) was statistically significant. Also, a higher number of subjects within the 20-29 age bracket were reactive to SAR-CoV-2 IgM antibodies while subjects with in the age bracket of 30-39 were more reactive to IgG antibodies.

Conclusion: This study reveals that serological testing is an ideal approach in assessing the proportion of frontline health workers who might have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 as part of effort in combating COVID-19 disease globally.