Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: first report

Adna Ašić; Jasminka Prguda-Mujić; Lana Salihefendić; Larisa Bešić; Daria Ler; Ivana Čeko; Almira Hadžović-Džuvo; Sead Jažić; Rijad Konjhodžić; Damir Marjanović

doi:10.5114/aoms/134143

Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: first report

Arch Med Sci. 2021 Mar 18;17(3):823-826. doi: 10.5114/aoms/134143. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
² Eurofarm Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Eurofarm Centre, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
³ Alea Genetic Centre, Health Institute Alea Dr. Kandić, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁴ Department of Human Physiology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁵ Polyclinic and Daily Hospital Dr. Al-Tawil, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁶ Department of Microbiology Diagnostics, General Hospital Dr. Abdulah Nakaš, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁷ Institute for Anthropological Research, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Abstract

Introduction: Serological detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulins G (IgG) and M (IgM) antibodies is becoming increasingly important in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We report the first results of COVID-19 serological testing in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2841 samples collected and analysed in 2 medical institutions in Sarajevo. Antibody detection was performed using commercially available kits.

Results: In the first cohort, 43 IgM-positive/IgG-negative and 16 IgM-positive/IgG-positive individuals were detected, corresponding to 3.41% of participants having developed antibodies. In the second cohort, 4.28% participants were found to be IgM-negative/IgG-positive.

Conclusions: Our results suggest the need for population-wide serological surveying in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keywords: COVID-19; immunoglobulins G; immunoglobulins M; molecular testing; serological testing.