TY - JOUR
T1 - Estimation of SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate by real-time antibody screening of blood donors
AU - Erikstrup, Christian
AU - Hother, Christoffer Egeberg
AU - Pedersen, Ole Birger Vestager
AU - Mølbak, Kåre
AU - Skov, Robert Leo
AU - Holm, Dorte Kinggaard
AU - Sækmose, Susanne Gjørup
AU - Nilsson, Anna Christine
AU - Brooks, Patrick Terrence
AU - Boldsen, Jens Kjærgaard
AU - Mikkelsen, Christina
AU - Gybel-Brask, Mikkel
AU - Sørensen, Erik
AU - Dinh, Khoa Manh
AU - Mikkelsen, Susan
AU - Møller, Bjarne Kuno
AU - Haunstrup, Thure
AU - Harritshøj, Lene
AU - Jensen, Bitten Aagaard
AU - Hjalgrim, Henrik
AU - Lillevang, Søren Thue
AU - Ullum, Henrik
PY - 2021/1/15
Y1 - 2021/1/15
N2 - BACKGROUND: The pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has tremendous consequences for our societies. Knowledge of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is needed to accurately monitor the spread of the epidemic and to calculate the infection fatality rate (IFR). These measures may help the authorities make informed decisions and adjust the current societal interventions. The objective was to perform nationwide real-time seroprevalence surveying among blood donors as a tool to estimate previous SARS-CoV-2 infections and the population-based IFR. METHODS: Danish blood donors aged 17-69 years giving blood 6 April to 3 May were tested for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M and G antibodies using a commercial lateral flow test. Antibody status was compared between geographical areas, and an estimate of the IFR was calculated. Seroprevalence was adjusted for assay sensitivity and specificity taking the uncertainties of the test validation into account when reporting the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The first 20 640 blood donors were tested, and a combined adjusted seroprevalence of 1.9% (95% CI, .8-2.3) was calculated. The seroprevalence differed across areas. Using available data on fatalities and population numbers, a combined IFR in patients <70 years is estimated at 89 per 100 000 (95% CI, 72-211) infections. CONCLUSIONS: The IFR was estimated to be slightly lower than previously reported from other countries not using seroprevalence data. The IFR is likely severalfold lower than the current estimate. We have initiated real-time nationwide anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveying of blood donations as a tool in monitoring the epidemic.
AB - BACKGROUND: The pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has tremendous consequences for our societies. Knowledge of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is needed to accurately monitor the spread of the epidemic and to calculate the infection fatality rate (IFR). These measures may help the authorities make informed decisions and adjust the current societal interventions. The objective was to perform nationwide real-time seroprevalence surveying among blood donors as a tool to estimate previous SARS-CoV-2 infections and the population-based IFR. METHODS: Danish blood donors aged 17-69 years giving blood 6 April to 3 May were tested for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M and G antibodies using a commercial lateral flow test. Antibody status was compared between geographical areas, and an estimate of the IFR was calculated. Seroprevalence was adjusted for assay sensitivity and specificity taking the uncertainties of the test validation into account when reporting the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The first 20 640 blood donors were tested, and a combined adjusted seroprevalence of 1.9% (95% CI, .8-2.3) was calculated. The seroprevalence differed across areas. Using available data on fatalities and population numbers, a combined IFR in patients <70 years is estimated at 89 per 100 000 (95% CI, 72-211) infections. CONCLUSIONS: The IFR was estimated to be slightly lower than previously reported from other countries not using seroprevalence data. The IFR is likely severalfold lower than the current estimate. We have initiated real-time nationwide anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveying of blood donations as a tool in monitoring the epidemic.
KW - COVID-19
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - emerging infectious disease
KW - epidemic monitoring
KW - seroprevalence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100502182&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/cid/ciaa849
DO - 10.1093/cid/ciaa849
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 32584966
SN - 1058-4838
VL - 72
SP - 249
EP - 253
JO - Clinical Infectious Diseases
JF - Clinical Infectious Diseases
IS - 2
ER -