tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Antimicrob Resist Infect Control
. 2023 Nov 29;12(1):137.
doi: 10.1186/s13756-023-01324-x. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in Dutch hospitals after the 2020 first wave: a multicentre cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up
Claudia Recanatini[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Corine H GeurtsvanKessel[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Suzan D Pas[SUP] 3 4 [/SUP], Els M Broens[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Martje Maas[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Rosa van Mansfeld[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Anne J G Mutsaers-van Oudheusden[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Miranda van Rijen[SUP] 9 [/SUP], Emile F Schippers[SUP] 10 [/SUP], Arjan Stegeman[SUP] 11 [/SUP], Adriana Tami[SUP] 12 [/SUP], Karin Ellen Veldkamp[SUP] 13 [/SUP], Hannah Visser[SUP] 14 [/SUP], Andreas Voss[SUP] 15 16 [/SUP], Marjolijn C A Wegdam-Blans[SUP] 17 18 19 [/SUP], Heiman F L Wertheim[SUP] 16 [/SUP], Peter C Wever[SUP] 20 [/SUP], Marion P G Koopmans[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jan A J W Kluytmans[SUP] 21 9 22 [/SUP], Marjolein F Q Kluytmans-van den Bergh[SUP] 21 9 23 [/SUP]; COCON Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Background: We aimed to estimate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence and describe its determinants and associated symptoms among unvaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) after the first wave of the pandemic.
Methods: HCWs from 13 Dutch hospitals were screened for antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in June-July 2020 and after three months. Participants completed a retrospective questionnaire on determinants for occupational and community exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 experienced since January 2020. The seroprevalence was calculated per baseline characteristic and symptom at baseline and after follow-up. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for seropositivity were determined using logistic regression.
Results: Among 2328 HCWs, 323 (13.9%) were seropositive at enrolment, 49 of whom (15%) reported no previous symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. During follow-up, only 1% of the tested participants seroconverted. Seroprevalence was higher in younger HCWs compared to the mid-age category (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07-2.18). Nurses (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.34-3.64) and administrative staff (aOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.02-3.43) had a higher seroprevalence than physicians. The highest seroprevalence was observed in HCWs in the emergency department (ED) (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.10-2.91), the lowest in HCWs in the intensive, high, or medium care units (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.71). Chronic respiratory disease, smoking, and having a dog were independently associated with a lower seroprevalence, while HCWs with diabetes mellitus had a higher seroprevalence. In a multivariable model containing all self-reported symptoms since January 2020, altered smell and taste, fever, general malaise/fatigue, and muscle aches were positively associated with developing antibodies, while sore throat and chills were negatively associated.
Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in unvaccinated HCWs of 13 Dutch hospitals was 14% in June-July 2020 and remained stable after three months. A higher seroprevalence was observed in the ED and among nurses, administrative and young staff, and those with diabetes mellitus, while a lower seroprevalence was found in HCWs in intensive, high, or medium care, and those with self-reported lung disease, smokers, and dog owners. A history of altered smell or taste, fever, muscle aches and fatigue were independently associated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in unvaccinated HCWs.
Keywords: Antibodies; COVID-19; Healthcare worker; Risk factor; SARS-CoV-2; Self-reported symptoms; Seroprevalence.
. 2023 Nov 29;12(1):137.
doi: 10.1186/s13756-023-01324-x. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in Dutch hospitals after the 2020 first wave: a multicentre cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up
Claudia Recanatini[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Corine H GeurtsvanKessel[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Suzan D Pas[SUP] 3 4 [/SUP], Els M Broens[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Martje Maas[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Rosa van Mansfeld[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Anne J G Mutsaers-van Oudheusden[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Miranda van Rijen[SUP] 9 [/SUP], Emile F Schippers[SUP] 10 [/SUP], Arjan Stegeman[SUP] 11 [/SUP], Adriana Tami[SUP] 12 [/SUP], Karin Ellen Veldkamp[SUP] 13 [/SUP], Hannah Visser[SUP] 14 [/SUP], Andreas Voss[SUP] 15 16 [/SUP], Marjolijn C A Wegdam-Blans[SUP] 17 18 19 [/SUP], Heiman F L Wertheim[SUP] 16 [/SUP], Peter C Wever[SUP] 20 [/SUP], Marion P G Koopmans[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jan A J W Kluytmans[SUP] 21 9 22 [/SUP], Marjolein F Q Kluytmans-van den Bergh[SUP] 21 9 23 [/SUP]; COCON Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
- PMID: 38031155
- DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01324-x
Background: We aimed to estimate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence and describe its determinants and associated symptoms among unvaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) after the first wave of the pandemic.
Methods: HCWs from 13 Dutch hospitals were screened for antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in June-July 2020 and after three months. Participants completed a retrospective questionnaire on determinants for occupational and community exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 experienced since January 2020. The seroprevalence was calculated per baseline characteristic and symptom at baseline and after follow-up. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for seropositivity were determined using logistic regression.
Results: Among 2328 HCWs, 323 (13.9%) were seropositive at enrolment, 49 of whom (15%) reported no previous symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. During follow-up, only 1% of the tested participants seroconverted. Seroprevalence was higher in younger HCWs compared to the mid-age category (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07-2.18). Nurses (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.34-3.64) and administrative staff (aOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.02-3.43) had a higher seroprevalence than physicians. The highest seroprevalence was observed in HCWs in the emergency department (ED) (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.10-2.91), the lowest in HCWs in the intensive, high, or medium care units (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.71). Chronic respiratory disease, smoking, and having a dog were independently associated with a lower seroprevalence, while HCWs with diabetes mellitus had a higher seroprevalence. In a multivariable model containing all self-reported symptoms since January 2020, altered smell and taste, fever, general malaise/fatigue, and muscle aches were positively associated with developing antibodies, while sore throat and chills were negatively associated.
Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in unvaccinated HCWs of 13 Dutch hospitals was 14% in June-July 2020 and remained stable after three months. A higher seroprevalence was observed in the ED and among nurses, administrative and young staff, and those with diabetes mellitus, while a lower seroprevalence was found in HCWs in intensive, high, or medium care, and those with self-reported lung disease, smokers, and dog owners. A history of altered smell or taste, fever, muscle aches and fatigue were independently associated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in unvaccinated HCWs.
Keywords: Antibodies; COVID-19; Healthcare worker; Risk factor; SARS-CoV-2; Self-reported symptoms; Seroprevalence.