SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Neutralizing Antibody Response after the First and Second COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in Croatia

Vilibic-Cavlek, Tatjana; Stevanovic, Vladimir; Ilic, Maja; Barbic, Ljubo; Capak, Krunoslav; Tabain, Irena; Krleza, Jasna Lenicek; Ferenc, Thomas; Hruskar, Zeljka; Topic, Renata Zrinski; Kaliterna, Vanja; Antolovic-Pozgain, Arlen; Kucinar, Jasmina; Koscak, Iva; Mayer, Dijana; Sviben, Mario; Antolasic, Ljiljana; Milasincic, Ljiljana; Bucic, Lovro; Ferencak, Ivana; Kaic, Bernard

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus with a pandemic spread. So far, a total of 349,910 SARS-CoV-2 cases and 7687 deaths were reported in Croatia. We analyzed the seroprevalence and neutralizing (NT) antibody response in the Croatian general population after the first (May–July 2020) and second (December 2020–February 2021) pandemic wave. Initial serological testing was performed using a commercial ELISA, with confirmation of reactive samples by a virus neutralization test (VNT). A significant difference in the overall seroprevalence rate was found after the first (ELISA 2.2%, VNT 0.2%) and second waves (ELISA 25.1%, VNT 18.7%). Seropositive individuals were detected in all age groups, with significant differences according to age. The lowest prevalence of NT antibodies was documented in the youngest (<10 years; 16.1%) and the oldest (60–69/70+ years; 16.0% and 12.8%, respectively) age groups. However, these age groups showed the highest median NT titers (32–64). In other groups, seropositivity varied from 19.3% to 21.5%. A significant weak positive correlation between binding antibody level as detected by ELISA and VNT titer (rho = 0.439, p < 0.001) was observed. SARS-CoV-2 NT antibody titers seem to be age-related, with the highest NT activity in children under 10 years and individuals above 50 years.