tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Int J Infect Dis
. 2021 Sep 14;S1201-9712(21)00731-1.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.023. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among 7,950 health-care workers in the Region of Southern Denmark. (THEIJID-D-21-01420R1)
Sebastian von Huth[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Søren Thue Lillevang[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Birgit Thorup Røge[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Jonna Skov Madsen[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Christian Backer Mogensen[SUP] 5 [/SUP], John Eugenio Coia[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sören Möller[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Ulrik Stenz Justesen[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Isik Somuncu Johansen[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objective: Health-care workers (HCWs) carry a pronounced risk of acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs in the Region of Southern Denmark after the first pandemic wave in the spring of 2020.
Methods: Observational study conducted May-June 2020. SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies were measured in plasma. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of demographic information, risk factors and COVID-19-related symptoms.
Results: A total of 7,950 participated. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 2.1% (95% CI 1.8-2.4). Seropositive participants were significantly older (mean age 48.9 years vs. 46.7 years in seronegative, P=0.022) and a higher percentage had experienced at least one symptom of COVID-19 (P<0.001). The seroprevalence was significantly higher among HCW working on dedicated COVID-19 wards (3.5%, OR 2.02 (95% CI 1.44-2.84). Seroprevalence was significantly related to 11-50 close physical contacts per day outside work (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22).
Conclusion: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was low in HCWs. However, the occupational risk for contracting the infection is higher for those working on dedicated COVID-19 wards. Further, our results imply that attention should be paid to occupational risk factors in planning pandemic preparedness.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antibodies; epidemiology; health-care workers; seroprevalence.
. 2021 Sep 14;S1201-9712(21)00731-1.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.023. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among 7,950 health-care workers in the Region of Southern Denmark. (THEIJID-D-21-01420R1)
Sebastian von Huth[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Søren Thue Lillevang[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Birgit Thorup Røge[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Jonna Skov Madsen[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Christian Backer Mogensen[SUP] 5 [/SUP], John Eugenio Coia[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sören Möller[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Ulrik Stenz Justesen[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Isik Somuncu Johansen[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34534698
- PMCID: PMC8440007
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.023
Abstract
Objective: Health-care workers (HCWs) carry a pronounced risk of acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs in the Region of Southern Denmark after the first pandemic wave in the spring of 2020.
Methods: Observational study conducted May-June 2020. SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies were measured in plasma. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of demographic information, risk factors and COVID-19-related symptoms.
Results: A total of 7,950 participated. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 2.1% (95% CI 1.8-2.4). Seropositive participants were significantly older (mean age 48.9 years vs. 46.7 years in seronegative, P=0.022) and a higher percentage had experienced at least one symptom of COVID-19 (P<0.001). The seroprevalence was significantly higher among HCW working on dedicated COVID-19 wards (3.5%, OR 2.02 (95% CI 1.44-2.84). Seroprevalence was significantly related to 11-50 close physical contacts per day outside work (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22).
Conclusion: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was low in HCWs. However, the occupational risk for contracting the infection is higher for those working on dedicated COVID-19 wards. Further, our results imply that attention should be paid to occupational risk factors in planning pandemic preparedness.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antibodies; epidemiology; health-care workers; seroprevalence.