Limited Specificity of Serologic Tests for SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Detection, Benin

We used commercially available ELISAs to test 68 samples from coronavirus disease cases and prepandemic controls from Benin. We noted <25% false-positive results among controls, likely due to unspecific immune responses elicited by acute malaria. Serologic tests must be carefully evaluated to assess coronavirus disease spread and immunity in tropical regions.

Automated summary

Commercially available ELISAs were used to test 68 samples from coronavirus disease cases and prepandemic controls from Benin, with less than 25% false-positive results noted among controls, likely due to unspecific immune responses elicited by acute malaria. It is important to carefully evaluate serologic tests to assess coronavirus disease spread and immunity in tropical regions.