Detection of Anti-Nucleocapsid Antibody in COVID-19 Patients in Bangladesh Is not Correlated with Previous Dengue Infection

Abstract

Background: The assessment of antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 is potentially confounded by exposures to flaviviruses. The aims of the present research were to determine whether anti-dengue antibodies affect the viral load and the detection of anti-coronavirus nucleocapsid (N)-protein antibodies in coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Bangladesh. Methods: Viral RNA was evaluated in swab specimens from 115 COVID-19 patients by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rT-PCR). The anti-N-protein antibodies, anti-dengue virus E-protein antibodies and the dengue non-structural protein-1 were determined in serum from 115 COVID-19 patients, 30 acute dengue fever pre-COVID-19 pandemic and nine normal controls by ELISA. Results: The concentrations of viral RNA in the nasopharyngeal; Ct median (95% CI); 22 (21.9–23.3) was significantly higher than viral RNA concentrations in oropharyngeal swabs; and 29 (27–30.5) p < 0.0001. Viral RNA concentrations were not correlated with-dengue IgG levels. The anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were IgA 27% positive and IgG 35% positive at days 1 to 8 post-onset of COVID-19 symptoms versus IgA 0% and IgG 0% in dengue patients, p < 0.0001. The levels of anti- nucleocapsid IgA or IgG versus the levels of anti-dengue IgM or IgG revealed no significant correlations. Conclusions: Viral RNA and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were detected in COVID-19 patients from dengue-endemic regions of Bangladesh, independently of the dengue IgG levels.

Molecular and Serological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Bangladesh in 2021

“…Our finding of anti-N-protein IgG positively correlated with anti-S-protein IgG confirms the positive correlation previously reported for unvaccinated natural SARS CoV-2 infection [42] and are consistent with the anti-N-protein IgG levels in Novalisa previously reported among Bangladeshi COVID-19 patients [43]. During the first 21 days POCS, anti-N protein IgG levels are typically higher than the anti-S-protein IgG levels [42].…”

Dengue and COVID-19 Co-Circulation in the Peruvian Amazon: A Population-Based Study

“…Such a finding has been described recently as supporting evidence of non-cross-reactivity between IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 N Protein and IgG anti-DENV. 34 Our results show an intense transmission for both diseases (DENV and COVID-19), which is not surprising considering the means of spread of these diseases and considering that Loreto region presents some socioeconomics that promotes such transmission: informal employment rates (81.8%), higher monetary poverty levels (28.3%-32.7%), and overcrowding. 28 However, although the relationship between infectious diseases such as DENV and poverty is reported and known, more studies are needed to deepen and clarify the relationship between poverty and DENV and COVID-19 in the city of Iquitos.…”

Low Risk of Serological Cross-Reactivity between the Dengue Virus and SARS-CoV-2-IgG Antibodies Using Advanced Detection Assays

“…A recent study utilized molecular docking and computational analysis to predict a significant surface interaction between DENV envelope (E) monoclonal antibodies and the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain of the S-protein [ 20 ]. Another study demonstrated that prior exposure to the dengue virus does not affect anti-N antibodies detection in COVID-19 patients using ELISA [ 21 ]. Taking into consideration the targeted antigen of both assays used in this study, the CL-900i targets both the S and N antigens of SARS-CoV-2, with N antigen as the main contributor for the kit according to the manufacturer's “personal communication.” The NovaLisa DENV ELISA targets the whole virus antigens.…”