Omicron B.1.1.529 variant infections associated with severe disease are uncommon in a COVID-19 under-vaccinated, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence population in Malawi

Mseka, Upendo L; Mandolo, Jonathan; Nyoni, Kenneth; Divala, Oscar; Kambalame, Dzinkambani; Mapemba, Daniel; Kamzati, Moses; Chibwe, Innocent; Henrion, Marc Y.R.; Manda, Kingsley; Thindwa, Deus; Mvula, Memory; Odala, Bright; Kamng’ona, Raphael; Dzinza, Nelson; Jere, Khuzwayo C.; Feasey, Nicholas; Ho, Antonia; Amoah, Abena S.; Gordon, Melita A.; Swarthout, Todd; Crampin, AC; Heyderman, Robert S.; Kagoli, Matthew; Chitsa-Banda, Evelyn; Mitambo, Collins; Phuka, John; Chilima, Ben; Kasambara, Watipaso; Jambo, Kondwani; Chauma-Mwale, Annie

doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101800

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…By the end of the Omicron BA.1/2 wave, population SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was estimated at 89% in Karonga and 94% in Lilongwe. A cross-sectional community serosurvey estimated seroprevalence of 87.9% (95% CI 83.1-96.6%) in Lilongwe earlier in the Omicron wave [9] . A rural Uganda cohort reported a similar seroprevalence of 96% between February-March 2022 [17] , while a cross-sectional serosurvey from Kenya between February-June 2022 reported slightly lower seroprevalence (Kilifi 69.1% [95% CrI 65.8-72.3]; Nairobi 88.5% [95% CrI 86.1-90.6%]) [18] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterizing the evolving SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in urban and rural Malawi between February 2021 and April 2022: A population-based cohort study

Banda,

Ho,

Kasenda

et al. 2023

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Malawi, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies have relied on convenience samples (e.g. healthcare workers [ 5 , 6 ] and blood donors [7] ) and community-based serosurveys have been cross-sectional [ 8 , 9 ]. These approaches provide a limited understanding of the dynamic changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing the evolving SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in urban and rural Malawi between February 2021 and April 2022: A population-based cohort study

Banda,

Ho,

Kasenda

et al. 2023

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

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“…The district has been the epicentre of COVID-19 epidemic in the country reporting 24,313 cases and 684 deaths as of 30 th September 2022 [ 23 ]. It is likely these reported figures underestimate the true burden of COVID-19 as studies indicate COVID-19 sero-prevalence of 93.9% in the district [ 24 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Household costs and care seeking patterns associated with COVID-19 in Blantyre, Malawi

Chinkhumba,

Mpinganjira,

Kumitawa

et al. 2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

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Economic consequences of COVID-19 illness and healthcare use for households in low income countries are not well known. We estimated costs associated with COVID-19 care-seeking and treatment from a household perspective and assessed determinants of treatment costs. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted between December 2020 and November 2021 in urban and peri-urban areas of Blantyre district. Adults (age ≥18 years) with confirmed COVID-19 were asked to report the symptoms they experienced or prompted them to seek COVID-19 tests as well as healthcare seeking behaviors preceding and following COVID-19 diagnosis. For individuals who sought healthcare, information on out-of-pocket expenditures incurred while seeking and receiving care including on transport, food etc. by both the patients and their guardians was collected. Finally, data on time use seeking, receiving care and during convalesces was recorded. Multivariate Generalized Linear Models were used to evaluate association between household COVID-19 costs and their determinants. Of 171 individuals who took part in the study, the average age was 40.7 years, standard deviation (SD) 15.0, and 50.8% were females. Most participants (85.3%) were symptomatic. Of these, 67.8% sought care at health facilities and the majority (91.7%) were treated as outpatients. The average total household cost associated with COVID-19 seeking, receiving care and convalescence was $62.81 (SD $126.02). Average costs for outpatient and inpatient cases were $52.96 (SD $54.35) and $172.39 (SD $407.08), respectively. Average out-of-pocket household expenditures were $42.62 (SD $123.10), accounting for 62% of total household costs. Being a male COVID-19 patient and engagement in formal employment were significantly associated with high COVID-19 household costs. Households face high economic burden related to COVID-19 sickness and healthcare use. Social policies that support households cope with both the direct and indirect COVID-19 cost are needed to ensure access to healthcare and protect households from COVID-19 related shocks.

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“…Morang'a et al [43] indicate in their 3). Other studies have also reported that Omicron (B.1.1.529.2) infections are associated with severe forms of infection with reported high viral loads [46,47] and severe symptoms [48]. Te increased infectiousness of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529.2) stems from immune escape due to altered spike-in antigens [49,50].…”

Section: Sars-cov-2 Circulating Genotypes Te Fndings Of This Study In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 within Accra Metropolis Postlockdown

Aboagye,

Annison,

Hackman

et al. 2024

Advances in Virology

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Introduction. Currently, sequencing has been the only tool for the identification of circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. However, it is known to be an expensive and laborious approach involving high technical expertise. Considering the reduced adherence to preventive measures postlockdown in Accra, this study presents an alternative method that leverages polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Accra Metropolis postlockdown. Methods. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2022. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 268 consenting participants. Samples were subjected to nucleic acid extraction and followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were subsequently subjected to variant identification using rapid PCR. Findings. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Accra Metropolis was 30.2%. The majority of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in females, participants aged 41–50 years, and symptomatic participants. Participants aged ≤10 years and females recorded the highest viral load while participants aged 41–50 years recorded the highest number of infections. The SARS-CoV-2 variants detected were Alpha (64.2%), Delta (22.2%), and Omicron (13.6%). Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection identified were chills, cough, headache, body weakness, sore throat, and dyspnoea in order of decreasing association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was a strong association between symptom status, gender, age, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion. There was a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Accra Metropolis postlockdown within the sampling period. The Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 is the predominant circulating variant, and persons presenting with symptoms are most likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Children aged ≤10 years serve as a reservoir for infection transmission.

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Omicron B.1.1.529 variant infections associated with severe disease are uncommon in a COVID-19 under-vaccinated, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence population in Malawi

Cited by 8 publications

References 37 publications

Characterizing the evolving SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in urban and rural Malawi between February 2021 and April 2022: A population-based cohort study

Characterizing the evolving SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in urban and rural Malawi between February 2021 and April 2022: A population-based cohort study

Household costs and care seeking patterns associated with COVID-19 in Blantyre, Malawi

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 within Accra Metropolis Postlockdown

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