East African Health Research Journal

The basis for better health policy and practice

Neutralising Antibodies Response Against SARS-CoV-2 Among People Living With HIV in Dar- es-Salaam Tanzania

  • Lilian NkindaCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Eligius LyamuyaCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Takamasa UenoCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Division of Infection and Immunity Joint Research Centre for Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Japan
  • Mbazi SenkoroNational Institution for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Tanzania
  • Sayoki MfinangaNational Institution for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Tanzania; Kampala International University, Department of Public Health, Ilala 12110, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  • Benson KidenyaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciencesa
  • Juma KisuseNational Institution for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Tanzania
  • Frank Eric HassanNational Institution for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Tanzania
  • Doreen KamoriCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Division of Infection and Immunity Joint Research Centre for Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Japan
  • Emmanuel NkuwiDivision of Infection and Immunity Joint Research Centre for Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Japan; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
  • Godfrey BarabonaDivision of Infection and Immunity Joint Research Centre for Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Japan
  • Salim MasoudCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Victoria ShayoCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Emmanuel BalandyaCampus College of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 has become endemic and is no longer a global health emergency. However, it remains significant for people living with HIV, whose immune dysregulation may impact antibody responses. Hence this study assessed neutralizing antibody capacity against SARS-CoV-2 variants among HIV-infected adults in Tanzania to inform sero-surveillance and pandemic readiness.
Methods: Seventy HIV-positive adults (≥18 years) were enrolled (53 vaccinated, 17 unvaccinated). These were compared with 89 individuals who were HIV negative (71 vaccinated and 18 unvaccinated). Neutralizing antibodies were quantified using a surrogate virus neutralization assay, with ≥27.7% inhibition defined as protective. Factors associated with neutralization were analyzed using modified Poisson regression (STATA v15), and group differences assessed using Kruskal-Wallis tests (Prism 9), with significance at P< .05.
Results: Our study observed a progressive decline in the proportion of participants with protective neutralizing antibodies across the SARS-CoV-2 variants, that is; 93% (65/70) for the wild-type (WT), 77% (54/70) for Delta, and 54% (38/70) for Omicron whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. Additionally, no significant difference in neutralising antibody inhibition capacity was found between participants with CD4 counts above 500 and those below, for any of the three variants, P>.9999. Also, the median percentage of neutralizing capacity among the relatively healthy HIV infected individuals (>500 CD4 count) was lower (28%) compared those who were HIV negatives (98%), within the vaccinated group (P<.0001) and 29% vs 80% for unvaccinated sub-groups (P<.005).
Conclusion: Neutralising antibodies declined significantly across newer SARS-CoV-2 variants among HIV-infected individuals. Moreover, neutralizing capacity was significantly lower among immune competent HIV-positive participants compared to their HIV negative counterparts. We recommend ongoing sero-surveillance to enable timely action.

Issue
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): East African Health Research Journal
Section
Original Articles
Published
2026-11-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.24248/eahrj.v10i2.339