tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Formos Med Assoc
. 2022 Dec 16;S0929-6646(22)00442-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2022.12.003. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers whom already received booster vaccination during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan
Wang-Huei Sheng[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Hao-Chun Chang[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sui-Yuan Chang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ming-Ju Hsieh[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Yu-Cheng Chen[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Yu-Yun Wu[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sung-Ching Pan[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Jann-Tay Wang[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Yee-Chun Chen[SUP] 7 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background/purpose: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure. We aim to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan.
Methods: Sequential reserved serum samples collected from our previous study during December 2021 and July 2022 were tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP). Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as positive either of anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein, rapid antigen test or polymerase chain reaction. Retrospective chart review and a questionnaire were used to access the symptoms and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results: Totally 300 participants (69.3% female) with a median age of 37.9 years were enrolled. A significant increase incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found before and during community outbreak (11.91 versus 230.93 per 100,000 person-days, P < 0.001), which was a trend paralleling that observed in the general population. For 61 SARS-CoV-2 infected participants, nine (14.8%) were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis revealed recent contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected household (odds ratio [OR], 7.01; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.70-13.30; P < 0.001) and co-existed underlying autoimmune diseases (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.28-15.51; P = 0.019) were significant risk factors associated with acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs.
Conclusion: Community factors, such as closely contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and underlying immune suppression status, were significant factors for acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. We suggest the application of appropriate infection control measures for HCWs should be maintained to reduce risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Keywords: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibody; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Healthcare workers; Risk factors; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
. 2022 Dec 16;S0929-6646(22)00442-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2022.12.003. Online ahead of print.
SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers whom already received booster vaccination during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan
Wang-Huei Sheng[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Hao-Chun Chang[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sui-Yuan Chang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ming-Ju Hsieh[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Yu-Cheng Chen[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Yu-Yun Wu[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sung-Ching Pan[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Jann-Tay Wang[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Yee-Chun Chen[SUP] 7 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36564300
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2022.12.003
Abstract
Background/purpose: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure. We aim to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs during epidemic outbreak of omicron variant in Taiwan.
Methods: Sequential reserved serum samples collected from our previous study during December 2021 and July 2022 were tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP). Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as positive either of anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein, rapid antigen test or polymerase chain reaction. Retrospective chart review and a questionnaire were used to access the symptoms and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results: Totally 300 participants (69.3% female) with a median age of 37.9 years were enrolled. A significant increase incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was found before and during community outbreak (11.91 versus 230.93 per 100,000 person-days, P < 0.001), which was a trend paralleling that observed in the general population. For 61 SARS-CoV-2 infected participants, nine (14.8%) were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis revealed recent contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected household (odds ratio [OR], 7.01; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.70-13.30; P < 0.001) and co-existed underlying autoimmune diseases (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.28-15.51; P = 0.019) were significant risk factors associated with acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs.
Conclusion: Community factors, such as closely contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and underlying immune suppression status, were significant factors for acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. We suggest the application of appropriate infection control measures for HCWs should be maintained to reduce risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Keywords: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibody; Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Healthcare workers; Risk factors; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2).