Τίτλος:
Cross-sectional prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers in paediatric facilities in eight countries
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which may be driven, in part, by nosocomial exposure. If HCW exposure is predominantly nosocomial, HCWs in paediatric facilities, where few patients are admitted with COVID-19, may lack antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and be at increased risk during the current resurgence. Aim: To compare the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 amongst HCWs in paediatric facilities in seven European countries and South Africa (N=8). Methods: All categories of paediatric HCWs were invited to participate in the study, irrespective of previous symptoms. A single blood sample was taken and data about previous symptoms were documented. Serum was shipped to a central laboratory in London where SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G was measured. Findings: In total, 4114 HCWs were recruited between 1st May and mid-July 2020. The range of seroprevalence was 0–16.93%. The highest seroprevalence was found in London (16.93%), followed by Cape Town, South Africa (10.36%). There were no positive HCWs in the Austrian, Estonian and Latvian cohorts; 2/300 [0.66%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–2.4] HCWs tested positive in Lithuania; 1/124 (0.81%, 95% CI 0.14–4.3) HCWs tested positive in Romania; and 1/76 (1.3%, 95% CI 0.23–7.0) HCWs tested positive in Greece. Conclusion: Overall seroprevalence amongst paediatric HCWs is similar to their national populations and linked to the national COVID-19 burden. Staff working in paediatric facilities in low-burden countries have very low seroprevalence rates and thus are likely to be susceptible to COVID-19. Their susceptibility to infection may affect their ability to provide care in the face of increasing cases of COVID-19, and this highlights the need for appropriate preventative strategies in paediatric healthcare settings. © 2021 The Author(s)
Συγγραφείς:
Goldblatt, D.
Johnson, M.
Falup-Pecurariu, O.
Ivaskeviciene, I.
Spoulou, V.
Tamm, E.
Wagner, M.
Zar, H.J.
Bleotu, L.
Ivaskevicius, R.
Papadatou, I.
Jõgi, P.
Lischka, J.
Franckling-Smith, Z.
Isarova, D.
Grandjean, L.
Zavadska, D.
Περιοδικό:
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
Εκδότης:
W.B. Saunders Ltd
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
immunoglobulin G; SARS-CoV-2 antibody; virus antibody, adult; aged; Article; Austria; cohort analysis; controlled study; coronavirus disease 2019; cross-sectional study; Estonia; female; Greece; health care facility; health care personnel; human; immunoglobulin blood level; Latvia; Lithuania; lockdown; male; Romania; serology; seroprevalence; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; South Africa; United Kingdom; blood; comparative study; Europe; health care personnel; hospital; middle aged; occupational disease; prevalence; risk assessment; seroepidemiology; young adult, Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Europe; Female; Health Personnel; Hospitals, Pediatric; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Prevalence; Risk Assessment; Seroepidemiologic Studies; South Africa; Young Adult
DOI:
10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.019
