Pre-pandemic SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ and antibody responses were low in Ugandan samples and significantly reduced in HIV-positive specimens

IntroductionWe investigated whether prior SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ and antibody responses in Ugandan COVID-19 pre-pandemic specimens aligned to this population's low disease severity.MethodsWe used nucleoprotein (N), spike (S), NTD, RBD, envelope, membrane, SD1/2-directed IFN-γ ELISpots, and an S- and N-IgG antibody ELISA to screen for SARS-CoV-2-specific cross-reactivity.ResultsHCoV-OC43-, HCoV-229E-, and SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ occurred in 23, 15, and 17 of 104 specimens, respectively. Cross-reactive IgG was more common against the nucleoprotein (7/110, 15.5%; p = 0.0016, Fishers' Exact) than the spike (3/110, 2.72%). Specimens lacking anti-HuCoV antibodies had higher rates of pre-epidemic SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ cross-reactivity (p-value = 0.00001, Fishers’ exact test), suggesting that exposure to additional factors not examined here might play a role. SARS-CoV-2-specific cross-reactive antibodies were significantly less common in HIV-positive specimens (p=0.017; Fishers' Exact test). Correlations between SARS-CoV-2- and HuCoV-specific IFN-γ responses were consistently weak in both HIV negative and positive specimens.DiscussionThese findings support the existence of pre-epidemic SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular and humoral cross-reactivity in this population. The data do not establish that these virus-specific IFN-γ and antibody responses are entirely specific to SARS-CoV-2. Inability of the antibodies to neutralise SARS-CoV-2 implies that prior exposure did not result in immunity. Correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and HuCoV-specific responses were consistently weak, suggesting that additional variables likely contributed to the pre-epidemic cross-reactivity patterns. The data suggests that surveillance efforts based on the nucleoprotein might overestimate the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 compared to inclusion of additional targets, like the spike protein. This study, while limited in scope, suggests that HIV-positive people are less likely than HIV-negative people to produce protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS BLOOD DONATION AMONG ADULTS AGED 18-45 YEARS IN NSAMBYA GOGONYA 1 ZONE, KAMPALA DISTRICT

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards blood donation among adults aged 18-45 years in Nsambya Gogonya 1 zone, Kampala district. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed using a purposive sampling technique on 50 respondents. Semi A semi-structured questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions written in English language was used. Data was manually analyzed using tally sheets and entered in a computer using the Microsoft Excel program to generate tables and figures like pie charts and bar graphs. Results: Findings on knowledge revealed that (100%) had ever heard about blood donation, (70%) reported that they knew their blood groups, (50%) did not know how often one should donate blood, (80%) responded that an individual should be healthy,(72%) responded that they could donate blood if called upon, (84%) responded they could encourage a friend or general public to donate blood. The study findings on practices revealed that (60%) had never donated blood, (70%) reported that they donate blood to save life. Conclusion: Overall knowledge and attitudes were fair but poor practices were established since participants wanted gifts that could not be given and lack of easy accessibility to blood donation camps as the majority had never attended a blood donation camp despite being willing to donate blood when called upon. Recommendation: The government should increase the number of blood donation centers at all levels of the community to ease the accessibility of blood donation, the Ministry of Health should increase awareness and education at all levels of the country regarding blood donation such as information about the need for blood and also education about the process and the hospital administration should establish blood donation camps to increase on the number of potential donors