Seroprofiling of Antibodies Against Endemic Human Coronaviruses and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohort in Lesotho: Correlates of Antibody Response and Seropositivity

In a human immunodeficiency virus cohort in Lesotho, sex, age, and body weight were associated with serological responses to endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Strength of response to HCoVs and SARS-CoV-2 was positively correlated. Background Serological data on endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in southern Africa are scarce. Here, we report on (1) endemic HCoV seasonality, (2) SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, and (3) correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and strength of SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoV serological responses among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods Plasma samples were collected from February 2020 to July 2021 within an HIV cohort in Lesotho. We used the AntiBody CORonavirus Assay (ABCORA) multiplex immunoassay to measure antibody responses to endemic HCoV (OC43, HKU1, NL63, and 229E) and SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Results Results for 3173 samples from 1403 adults were included. Serological responses against endemic HCoVs increased over time and peaked in winter and spring. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity reached >35% among samples collected in early 2021 and was associated with female sex, obesity, working outside the home, and recent tiredness or fever. Positive correlations were observed between the strength of response to endemic HCoVs and to SARS-CoV-2 and between older age or obesity and the immunoglobulin G response to SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions These results add to our understanding of the impact of biological, clinical, and social/behavioral factors on serological responses to coronaviruses in southern Africa.

Automated summary

Sex, age, and body weight were found to be associated with serological responses to endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a HIV cohort in Lesotho. The strength of response to HCoVs and SARS-CoV-2 showed a positive correlation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of biological, clinical, and social/behavioral factors on serological responses to coronaviruses in southern Africa.