Efficient transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between naturally exposed mothers and infants in Accra, Ghana

Frederica D. Partey, Dorotheah Obiri, Evelyn Yayra Bonney, Abigail Naa Adjorkor Pobee, Isaac Kumi Damptey, Keren Ennuson, Jayln Akwetea-Foli, Franklin Yengdem Nuokpem, David Courtin, Kwadwo A. Kusi, Benedicta A. Mensah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We aimed to determine SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity among pregnant women and the transplacental transfer efficiency of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies relative to malaria antibodies among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive mother-cord pairs. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Accra, Ghana, from March to May 2022. Antigen- specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (nucleoprotein and spike-receptor binding domain) and malarial antigens (circumsporozoite protein and merozoite surface protein 3) in maternal and cord plasma were measured by ELISA. Plasma from both vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women were tested for neutralizing antibodies using commercial kit. Of the unvaccinated pregnant women tested, 58.12% at antenatal clinics and 55.56% at the delivery wards were seropositive for both SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and RBD antibodies. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cord samples correlated with maternal antibody levels (N antigen rs = 0.7155, p < 0.001; RBD rs = 0.8693, p < 0.001). Transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein antibodies was comparable to circumsporozoite protein antibodies (p = 0.9999) but both were higher than transfer rates of merozoite surface protein 3 antibodies (p < 0.001). SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity among pregnant women in Accra is high with a boost of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific IgG in vaccinated women. Transplacental transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 and malarial antibodies was efficient, supporting vaccination of mothers as a strategy to protect infants against SARS-CoV-2.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10772
JournalScientific Reports
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Maternal COVID-19
  • Prenatal COVID-19 placental transfer
  • SARS-COV-2
  • Transfer efficiency

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