Email this article THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ON SARS-COV-2 SEROPREVALENCE AMONG RESIDENTS OF CHELYABINSK
- Authors: Kritsky I.1, Zurochka A.V.2, Zurochka V.A.2, Sarapultsev A.P.1,3
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Affiliations:
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia
- Federal Budgetary Institution of Science «Federal Scientific Research Institute of Viral Infections «Virome» Federal Service for Surveillance on Costumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Yekaterinburg, Russia
- South Ural State University (National Research University), Chelyabinsk, Russia
- Section: Immunological readings in Chelyabinsk
- Submitted: 01.04.2025
- Accepted: 25.05.2025
- URL: https://rusimmun.ru/jour/article/view/17216
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.46235/1028-7221-17216-TIO
- ID: 17216
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Abstract
Abstract
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is an important indicator of the spread of coronavirus infection, especially among population groups with varying levels of mobility. International travel may contribute to the transmission of the virus and influence the level of herd immunity; however, the extent of this impact remains insufficiently studied.
In this study, conducted in Chelyabinsk from October 27, 2020 to January 30, 2023, 660 samples were analyzed for IgM antibodies and 843 samples for IgG antibodies to assess the seropositivity of city residents depending on recent international travel history. Antibodies to the coronavirus infection were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with Multiskan FC equipment and “Vector-Best” reagents. Participant questionnaires were used to determine travel history and countries visited.
The results showed a trend toward higher IgG seropositivity among individuals who had traveled internationally (p = 0.07), although statistical significance was not achieved. The overall seropositivity rate was higher for IgG (67.38%) compared to IgM (32.73%), which may indicate past infection or previous vaccination within the sample. The highest IgG seropositivity was observed among individuals returning from Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Egypt. No statistically significant differences in seroprevalence were found between men and women.
These findings indicate a trend toward higher seropositivity among travelers, which may suggest an increased risk of infection during trips. However, the lack of statistical significance highlights the need for further research involving larger sample sizes, as well as consideration of vaccination status, seroconversion dynamics, disease timeline, and repeated testing. Despite the noted limitations, the data obtained may be used to improve epidemiological control measures and to plan COVID-19 and other respiratory infection prevention efforts, including in the context of international tourism.
Keywords
About the authors
Igor Kritsky
Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Email: igor81218@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9402-051X
PhD student
Russian FederationAleksandr Vladimirovich Zurochka
Federal Budgetary Institution of Science «Federal Scientific Research Institute of Viral Infections «Virome» Federal Service for Surveillance on Costumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Email: av_zurochka@mail.ru
Honored Worker of Science of the Russian Federation, D.Sc. MD, leading researcher, Laboratory of Transmissible Viral Diseases
Russian FederationVladimir Aleksandrovich Zurochka
Federal Budgetary Institution of Science «Federal Scientific Research Institute of Viral Infections «Virome» Federal Service for Surveillance on Costumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Email: v_zurochka@mail.ru
D.Sc. MD, senior researcher, Laboratory of Transmissible Viral Diseases
Russian FederationAlexey Petrovich Sarapultsev
Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia;South Ural State University (National Research University), Chelyabinsk, Russia
Author for correspondence.
Email: a.sarapultsev@gmail.com
D.Sc. MD, leading researcher, head of laboratory of immunopathophysiology, Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg; director of the Russian-Chinese Center, South Ural State University (NRU), Chelyabinsk
Russian FederationReferences
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