HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 seroprevalence and its relationship with the clinical features of COVID-19 patients from Villavicencio, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction. Due to the cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and common human coronaviruses (HCoV), previous infections with these could contribute to serological and/or cellular cross-protection against COVID-19 severity. However, the protective immunity may not develop, or the pre-existing immunity could lead to COVID-19 severity.
Objective. To determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 and correlate its previous exposure with the signs of COVID-19 patients from Villavicencio.
Materials and methods. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. ELISA technique was used to search for IgG antibodies against HCoV-NL3 and HCoV-HKU1 in patients who had positive RT-qPCR results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients were grouped according to clinical characteristics features of COVID-19 in four groups: Group 1: asymptomatic (n=23); Group 2: hospitalized (n=24); Group 3: intensive care units (n=24); and Group 4: dead (n=22).
Results. The overall seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against HCoV was 74,2% (n = 69; [95% CI:65,3–83,1]), with 66,7% of HCoV-NL63 (n = 62; [95% CI:57,1–76,2]) and 25,8% of HCoV-HKU1 (n = 24; [95% CI:16,9–34,7]). Based on crosstab analysis, prior exposure to HCoV-NL63 was associated with protection against severe COVID-19 (p = 0,042; adjusted OR = 0,159 [95% CI:0,027–0,938]) and previous coinfection of HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 was considered a positive association for severe COVID-19(p = 0,048; adjusted OR = 16,704 [95% CI:1,020–273,670]).
Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the seroprevalence of HCoV IgG antibodies in Colombia and Latin America. Previous exposure to HCoV-NL63 could protect against severe COVID-19, whereas patients with underlying HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 coinfection could be hospitalized with severe signs of COVID-19.