Background: The SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease mainly affecting humans.
Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for illegible armed force individuals living in Rabat, Morocco.
Method: A convenience sample (N = 2662) was conducted from May 2020 to February 2021. We used the standard neutralization assay to quantify the NAbs titers. A serum was positive when the titer was 1:4. High positive NAbs titers were defined when ≥ 1:32.
Results: Demographic and socioeconomic status did not affect seroprevalence data. An overall seroprevalence of 24,9% was found. Sera from blood donors, young recruits and auto-immune population had lower NAbs titers. However, titers were above 1:16 in 9% of the population with high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Seropositivity increased over time with values reaching peaks after the epidemic waves (2.4% in May 2020; 16.2% in August 2020; 22.7% in December 2020 and 37% in February 2021).
Conclusion: And increase of NAbs was observed over time and correlated with the post-epidemic waves of COVID-19 in Morocco.
Keywords: Morocco; Rabat; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence; Serum neutralizing assay.
© 2023 Touil N et al.