Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its pandemic spread generated serious concern about the impact of the infection on vulnerable indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon. Thus, this study aimed to perform a seroepidemiological survey of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in those populations. SETTING: Six indigenous ethnic groups living in the State of Pará (Northern Brazil) were investigated. The villages of Xikrin do Bacajá, Assurini, Araweté, Parakanã, Munduruku and Kararaô were visited from October 2020 to January 2021. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of anti-spike (S1) IgG antibodies. Plasma was tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using two assays (a lateral flow rapid test and an ELISA). A total of 1185 individuals of both sexes were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The prevalences of IgM and IgG antibodies were 6.9% and 68.1%, respectively, ranging from 0% to 79.6%, with significant differences (p<0.001) between age groups in three communities (Araweté, Xikrin and Munduruku) and a virulence rate of 0.86%. The overall IgG prevalence obtained by rapid tests and ELISAs were similar, and the agreement of the results between the two tests was 80%, which was classified as good (kappa=0.4987; p<0.001; sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 71.6%). Herd immunity was probably attained, similar to that found in other communities of the Amazon. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly among the indigenous populations investigated, but it had a low mortality rate. It is necessary to expand serological investigations to other communities in the Amazon region of Brazil.