PREVALENCE OF SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM ANTIBODIES AMONG PATIENTS IN THE TETOVO REGION, NORTH MACEDONIA
Mije REÇI, Beslinda MEMETI, Ismail FERATI, Sheval F MEMISHI
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic, including North Macedonia. However, there are only limited data regarding the precise prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia. Here, to estimate the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Tetovo region, North Macedonia, we investigated the prevalence of immunoglobulins G (IgG and IgM) antibodies. The detection of IgM and IgG immunoglobulins was performed through the Ichroma II serological test, in the Laor laboratory in Tetovo. We enrolled 1582 individuals from June to December 2020 and January to June 2021 observed that the subjects' overall prevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, for the female gender, it was 661 cases (42%), while for the male gender there were 921 immunized cases (58%). The highest prevalence among age groups was in the 20-40-year-olds, during 2020 (313 immunized persons), while during 2021, the age group 40-60 years had the highest prevalence (383 immunized persons), and the lowest prevalence was in the age group 0-20 years, for both years. Also, the younger population has shown less susceptibility to the disease. In conclusion, the COVID-19 outbreak among asymptomatic populations was characterized by a high prevalence of infection in Tetovo region.
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