DETECTION OF SARS-COV-2 IN MULTIPLE CLINICAL SPECIMENS: A PILOT PREVALENCE STUDY FROM NORTHEAST NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection primarily relies on RTPCR analysis of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens; however, viral RNA has also been detected in other clinical samples. In Northeast Nigeria, data comparing SARS-CoV-2 detection across multiple specimen types, alongside serological evidence of exposure, remain limited.

AIM: This pilot study aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stool, serum, and NPS, and the seroprevalence of anti-SARSCoV- 2 antibodies among hospitalized patients in Gombe, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2022 at Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. A total of 384 inpatients without prior confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled. Stool, serum, and NPS samples were collected from each participant. Viral RNA was detected using RT-PCR, and SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed separately using a rapid immunochromatographic assay, allowing differentiation between recent and past exposure.

RESULTS

Among 384 participants, the overall RT-PCR prevalence of SARSCoV- 2 RNA was 2.1% (8/384). Stool samples yielded the highest positivity rate (1.8%; 7/384), followed by NPS (0.8%; 3/384) and serum (0.3%; 1/ 384). In sharp contrast, the overall antibody seroprevalence was 48.6% (187/384). Among the 362 unvaccinated participants, 46.4% had detectable antibodies.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a low prevalence of active viral shedding but a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, suggesting widespread, under-detected community exposure. Stool specimens showed a higher detection rate than NPS in this cohort, warranting further investigation as a potential diagnostic sample in resource-limited settings.