AUTHOR=Valerio-Shewmaker Melissa A. , DeSantis Stacia , Swartz Michael , Yaseen Ashraf , Gonzalez Michael O. , Kohl Harold W. III , Kelder Steven H. , Messiah Sarah E. , Aguillard Kimberly A. , Breaux Camille , Wu Leqing , Shuford Jennifer , Pont Stephen , Lakey David , Boerwinkle Eric 

TITLE=Strategies to Estimate Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Texas Vulnerable Population: Results From Phase I of the Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.753487

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.753487

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and immunity remains uncertain in populations. The state of Texas ranks 2nd in infection with over 2.71 million cases and has seen a disproportionate rate of death across the state. The TX CARES project was funded by the state of Texas to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody status in children and adults. 

Materials and Methods: The TX CARES (Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey) is an ongoing prospective population-based convenience sample from the Texas general population that commenced in October 2020. Volunteer participants are recruited across the state to participate in a 3-time point data collection TX CARES to assess antibody response over time. We use the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassay to determine SARS-CoV-2 antibody status.

Results:  The crude antibody positivity prevalence in Phase I was 26.1% (80/307). The fully adjusted seroprevalence of the sample was 31.5%. Specifically, 41.1% of males and 21.9% of females were seropositive. For age categories, 33.5% of those 18-34; 24.4% of those 35-44; 33.2% of those 45-54; and 32.8% of those 55+ were seropositive. In this sample,42.2% (89/211) of those negative for the antibody test reported having had a COVID-19 test.  

Conclusions: In this survey we enrolled and analyzed data for 319 participants, demonstrating a high survey and antibody test completion rate, and ability to implement a questionnaire and SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing within FQHC clinical settings.  We were also able to determine our capability to estimate the cross-sectional seroprevalence within Texas’s FQHC clinical settings.  The crude positivity prevalence for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this sample was 26.1% indicating potentially high exposure to COVID-19 for FQHC clinic employees and patients. These methods are being used to guide the completion of a large longitudinal survey in the state of Texas with implications for practice and population health.