Multiple SARS-CoV-2 immunizations of an unvaccinated population lead to complex immunity. A T cell reactivity study of blood donors in Antananarivo

Background: Madagascar has undergone multiple and robust COVID-19 waves. The resulting immune background developed by its poorly vaccinated population has however not been described.

Methods: In this study, serological analysis and specific T cell response descriptions were used to describe the history of exposures of the capital's blood donors to SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs. Samples were collected early 2022, and pools of multiple immunogenic peptides of SARS-CoV-2 were used in an IFN-γ secretion ELISPOT assay to characterize the specific T-cell immunity developed against these potential epitopes.

Results: Multiple epidemic waves have led to 92.1% of donors having detectable antibodies, and 94.8% having developed T-cells against SARS-CoV-2. Heterogeneous reactivities to different strain-derived peptides suggested multiple immunological backgrounds in the population including 16.1% of individuals exposed at least once to a unique strain, 27.1% to two strains, 28.5% to three strains, and 23.1% to four distinct strains.

Conclusions: Cross-reactivity increased with multiple exposures but did not decrease the risk of re-infection. These results describe the extremely complex immunological background developed following multiple natural immunizations.