Increase in antibodies against COVID-19 among donors

The percentage of blood donors with antibodies against COVID-19 is increasing. Sanquin's latest measurement indicates that the average in the Netherlands has risen to 6.2%. During the summer months, the percentage fluctuated between 4% and 5%.

Every week, Sanquins tests a sample of about 2,000 plasma donors for antibodies, in addition to the research of the RIVM, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the environment, into antibodies.

This development was expected because the increase in positive PCR test results started a few weeks ago. Within this study, also an increase in early antibodies (IgM) is observed, indicating that more recent infections are found. This confirms that the Netherlands is confronted with a second corona wave. 

Sanquin research, Wantai-total-Ab test on antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 shows
from March on, stable, increasing seroprevalence. Zaaijer, Slot, Hogema et al, 2020 .

Details from the survey

We see a peak among younger donors (18 to 40 years old) from Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. In our largest cities, more than 1 in 10 (11%) of the donors have formed antibodies. This corresponds to the relatively high number of infections among young adults. In addition, the difference between the North and South of the Netherlands with regard to the presence of antibodies among donors is gradually decreasing.  

Sanquin shares these data with RIVM, which combines them with their own research to come to conclusions that apply to the entire Dutch population.