AI Summary
This study conducted in Thailand evaluated the seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies across different age groups. The findings revealed that approximately 72.4% of the participants were infected, with a higher number of infections observed in children and the elderly. The results will contribute to understanding the extent of infection and informing public health decision-making and vaccination strategies.
Seroprevalence studies on SARS-CoV-2 are essential for estimating actual prevalence rates of infection and vaccination in communities. This study evaluated infection rates based on total anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin (N) and/or infection history. We determined the seroprevalence of anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies across age groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chonburi province, Thailand, between October 2022 and January 2023. Participants included newborns to adults aged up to 80 years. All serum samples were tested for anti-N total Ig and anti-RBD IgG. The interviewer-administered questionnaires queried information on infection history and vaccination records. Of 1459 participants enrolled from the Chonburi population, ~ 72.4% were infected. The number of infections was higher in children aged  60 years. Our findings will help predict the exact number of infections and the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Thai population. Furthermore, this information is essential for public health decision-making and the development of vaccination strategies.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had devastating consequences worldwide. In January 2023, there were more than 662 million cases and 6.7 million deaths reported worldwide, with more than 4.7 million cases and 33.7 thousand deaths, in Thailand alone1. However, the number is likely underestimated by a lack of viral nucleic acid amplification or rapid antigen testing in patients with asymptomatic or