Large-scale IgM and IgG SARS-CoV-2 serological screening among healthcare workers with a low infection prevalence based on nasopharyngeal swab tests in an Italian university hospital: Perspectives for public health

Vimercati, Luigi; Stefanizzi, Pasquale; Maria, Luigi De; Caputi, Antonio; Cavone, Domenica; Quarato, Marco; Gesualdo, Loreto; Lopalco, Pier Luigi; Migliore, Giovanni; Sponselli, Stefania; Graziano, Giusi; Larocca, Angela Maria Vittoria; Tafuri, Silvio

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.110793

Cited by 29 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…These latter groups of workers significantly contributed to the overall numbers of COVID-19 cases, in particular during the first wave of the pandemic, with a prevalence of infection estimated at 12% [14]. As a result, the serological antibody positivity rate is expected to be high; recent Italian data collected in the same period as our study showed a 90-day IgM positivity rate of 11.5% and 2.4% for IgG positivity [15]. In our sample of non-healthcare workers, we found that 50% tested positive for IgM (alone or together with IgG); this may indicate that half of these workers had a relatively recent SARS-CoV-2 infection [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Frequency of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Various Occupational Sectors in an Industrialized Area of Northern Italy from May to October 2020

Modenese

Mazzoli²,

Berselli

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The results of a voluntary screening campaign for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies are presented, performed on workers in the highly industrialized province of Modena in northern Italy in the period 18 May–5 October 2020. The employment activities of the subjects that tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and/or IgG antibodies were determined and classified using the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC). The distribution across different sectors was compared to the proportion of workers employed in the same sectors in the province of Modena as a whole. Workers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies were mainly employed in manufacturing (60%), trade (12%), transportation (9%), scientific and technical activities (5%), and arts, entertainment and recreation activities (4.5%). Within the manufacturing sector, a cluster of workers with positive serological tests was observed in the meat processing sector, confirming recent data showing a possible increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these workers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Frequency of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Various Occupational Sectors in an Industrialized Area of Northern Italy from May to October 2020

Modenese

Mazzoli²,

Berselli

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…On the other hand, other Italian studies conducted among HCW showed similar results [6,14], and in particular Vimercati et al found no associations between the diagnosis through swabs with increasing age, and nor with gender. While considering the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM seroprevalence, they found a significantly lower mean age of the subjects with antibody positivity compared to the negative group [14]. In any case, when interpreting these Italian data obtained in HCW it should be considered that the large majority of the samples are composed by females, and in particular in our study, women were 71% of the whole population, and moreover about 90% of the operators were aged less than 60 years old.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…This is partially in contrast with the recognized role of male gender and age as risk factors for symptomatic and severe COVID-19 [8]. On the other hand, other Italian studies conducted among HCW showed similar results [6,14], and in particular Vimercati et al found no associations between the diagnosis through swabs with increasing age, and nor with gender. While considering the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM seroprevalence, they found a significantly lower mean age of the subjects with antibody positivity compared to the negative group [14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Moreover, HCW have an additional COVID-19 risk depending on the type of job and on the specific procedures and working tasks they have to perform [9][10][11][12]. Various groups of HCW have been recognized for their increased risk of getting SARS-CoV-2 infections, such as, among others, the frontline HCW, those of the emergency and first aid departments, all the staff of the COVID-19 wards in the hospitals and also the general practitioners in the territory [1,2,[10][11][12][13][14]. Among the main occupational risk factors are the availability and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and of other protections, as well as the performance of specific trainings on the appropriate procedures to reduce the infectious risk [9,13,[15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk among Healthcare Workers of an Italian University Hospital

Modenese

Casolari²,

Rossi

et al. 2021

Healthcare

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We report the results of a study on the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in about 6000 workers of the University Hospital of Modena, Northern Italy, in the period March 2020–January 2021, and the relations with some individual and occupational factors. Overall, in healthcare workers (HCW) the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 during the period was 13.8%. Results confirm the role of overweight and obesity as significant risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, also proved to be significantly associated with the infection rate. Considering occupational factors, the COVID-19 risk was about threefold (OR: 2.7; 95% CI 1.7–4.5) greater in nurses and nurse aides than in non-HCW, and about double (OR: 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.2) in physicians. Interestingly, an association was also observed between infection risk and nightshifts at work (OR: 1.8; 95% CI 1.4–2.3), significantly related to the total number of shifts in the whole eleven-month period. Even if the vaccination campaign has now greatly modified the scenario of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCW, the results of this study can be useful for further development of health and policy strategies to mitigate the occupational risk related to the new variants of coronavirus, and therefore the evolution of the pandemic.

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“…A limitation of this study is that the population is composed exclusively of HCWs subjected to a high clinical-instrumental screening and serological and molecular swab testing [ 32 ]. Another limitation is the lack of data on waist circumference, lean body mass and fat mass of HCWs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

Vimercati

Maria

Quarato

et al. 2021

JCM

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Background: Long COVID is a syndrome characterized by the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms. Among HCWs, prolonged COVID symptoms could lead to the inability to perform work tasks. The aim of this study is to investigate 35-day long-COVID (35-LC) characteristics and risk factors in a one-year period. Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic at University Hospital of Bari. A total of 5750 HCWs were tested for close contact with a confirmed case, in the absence of personal protective equipment, or for symptom development. Results: Each positive HCW was investigated for cardiovascular risk factors or respiratory diseases. An amount of 352 HCWs (6.1%) were infected by SARS-CoV-2, and 168 cases evolved to long COVID. The 35-LC group showed mean BMI values higher than the non-35-LC group (25.9 kg/m2 vs. 24.8 kg/m2, respectively), and this difference was significant (p-value: 0.020). Moreover, HCWs who suffered from pulmonary disease (OR = 3.7, CL 95%: 1.35–10.53; p-value = 0.007) or overweight (OR = 1.6 CL 95%: 1.05–2.56; p-value = 0.029) had an increased risk of developing 35-LC. Conclusions: Long COVID is an emerging problem for hospital managers as it may reduce the number of HCWs deployed in the fight against COVID-19. High BMI and previous pulmonary disease could be risk factors for 35-LC development in exposed HCWs.

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Large-scale IgM and IgG SARS-CoV-2 serological screening among healthcare workers with a low infection prevalence based on nasopharyngeal swab tests in an Italian university hospital: Perspectives for public health

Cited by 29 publications

References 17 publications

Frequency of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Various Occupational Sectors in an Industrialized Area of Northern Italy from May to October 2020

Frequency of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Various Occupational Sectors in an Industrialized Area of Northern Italy from May to October 2020

Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk among Healthcare Workers of an Italian University Hospital

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

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