SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers in Germany: A Follow-Up Study

Korth, Johannes; Wilde, Benjamin; Dolff, Sebastian; Frisch, Jasmin; Jahn, Michael; Krawczyk, Adalbert; Trilling, Mirko; Schipper, Leonie; Cordes, Sebastian; Ross, Birgit; Lindemann, Monika; Kribben, Andreas; Dittmer, Ulf; Witzke, Oliver; Herrmann, Anke; Anastasiou, Olympia E.

doi:10.3390/ijerph18094540

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…Other features were revealed when assessing the influence of occupational factors on seroprevalence. Unlike other territories [27,33,38,48], a predominant seroprevalence among medical workers was not established in Belarus. At the same time, there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of seropositive people among transport workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the population of the Republic of Belarus amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Popova

Tarasenko²,

Smolensky

et al. 2021

Russian Journal of Infection and Immunity

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Objective was to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 collective immunity status of the population of Belarus within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The work was carried out according to the methodology for assessing SARS-CoV-2 population immunity, developed by Rospotrebnadzor Russia and the Ministry of Health of Belarus with the participation of the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, taking into account WHO recommendations. The Bioethics Committee of Belarus and the local ethics committee of the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute approved the study. Selection of participants was carried out using a questionnaire method and online technology (internet, cloud server). Volunteers were randomized into seven age groups (years of age): 1–17; 18–29; 30–39; 40–49; 50–59; 60–69; and 70+. Regional randomization ensured proportional representation of volunteers from each region, and no more than 30 people were included from one enterprise. In accordance with manufacturer instructions, blood plasma samples were analyzed for: IgG antibodies (Abs) to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (Nc) using a quantitative ELISA test system; and IgG Abs to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 S (spike) surface glycoprotein using a qualitative ELISA test system. Statistical processing was carried out using Excel 2010 and other software. Statistical differences were designated as significant when p < 0.05, unless otherwise indicated. Results. The level of seroprevalence, in terms of Abs to Nc among the Belarusian population, was 38.4% (95% CI 37.6–45.4). The highest Ab levels were found among individuals in older age groups (50-70+ years old). The lowest were found in children 1–17 years old and in young people 18–39 years old The distribution of seroprevalence across Belarusian regions was relatively homogeneous, with the exception of the Minsk Region, where a statistically significant decrease in the indicator was noted. In terms of profession, the largest share of seropositive individuals was found among transportation workers; the smallest was found in business. The moderate COVID-19 incidence has not led to a dramatic increase in the number of contacts. The base reproduction number (R0) was 1.3. In the Republic of Belarus, there was a moderate level of asymptomatic COVID-19 among seropositive individuals (45.3% [95% CI 44.0–46.7]). This form of infection was observed most often among children aged 1–17 years old (65.0% [95% CI 61.3–68.6]). In parallel with seroprevalence assessment, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was carried out. We used two vaccines: Gam-COVID-Vac (also known as Sputnik V, developed by Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia); and BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm, PRC). Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was accompanied by an increase in the level of anti-RBD Abs (95% [95% CI 94.7–96.7]). Taking into account the vaccination of a subset of the population with BBIBP-CorV, the overall herd immunity, inferred from the analyzed indicators (presence of anti-Nc or anti-RBD Abs), was 47.1% (95% CI 46.3–48.0). Conclusion. COVID-19 in Belarus was characterized by a moderately pronounced course of the epidemic process. The threshold level of herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been reached, as a result of which the conditions for progression of the epidemic remain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the population of the Republic of Belarus amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Popova

Tarasenko²,

Smolensky

et al. 2021

Russian Journal of Infection and Immunity

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…For example, a seroprevalence of 3.5% was reported in HCWs with direct patient contact in a medical center in Southern Germany in April 2020 [ 23 ]. Similarly, the study of Korth et al conducted in HCWs at a German University Hospital reported a seroprevalence of 2.2% in March–May, which increased to 4.0% in June–July and to 5.1% in October–December 2020 [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center

Larribère

Gordejeva

Kuhnhenn

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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To date, more than 160 million people have been infected with COVID-19 worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 3067 healthcare workers (HCW) in a German COVID-19 treatment center during the early phase of the pandemic (July 2020) based on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and self-reported previous PCR results. The results demonstrate a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 107 [3.5%]) with no increased risk for employees with a high level of patient exposure in general or working in COVID-19-confined areas in particular. This suggests that the local hygiene standards implemented in our hospital during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic were effective in preventing patient-to-HCW transmission. No evidence for highly mobile staff serving as a vector for SARS-CoV-2 transmission could be found. In addition, impairment of smell and/or taste was strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 history.

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“…From the beginning of the pandemic, several studies have investigated the risk for HCW for infections with SARS-CoV-2. While some studies showed low infection rates among HCW indicating that the implemented protection measures were effective [ 1 – 4 ], others studies revealed high infection rates among HCW [ 5 – 11 ]. The most frequently identified risk factors for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to HCW include working at dedicated COVID-19 units [ 6 , 7 ], having either direct contact with infected patients [ 8 , 9 ], or infected co-workers [ 9 , 11 ] and being exposed to infected household members [ 8 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare institutions’ recommendation regarding the use of FFP-2 masks and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among healthcare workers: a multicenter longitudinal cohort study

Szajek¹,

Fleisch²,

Hutter³

et al. 2022

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control

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Background Health care workers (HCW) are heavily exposed to SARS-CoV-2 from the beginning of the pandemic. We aimed to analyze risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion among HCW with a special emphasis on the respective healthcare institutions’ recommendation regarding the use of FFP-2 masks. Methods We recruited HCW from 13 health care institutions (HCI) with different mask policies (type IIR surgical face masks vs. FFP-2 masks) in Southeastern Switzerland (canton of Grisons). Sera of participants were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 6 months apart, after the first and during the second pandemic wave using an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA, Roche Diagnostics). We captured risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection by using an online questionnaire at both time points. The effects of individual COVID-19 exposure, regional incidence and FFP-2 mask policy on the probability of seroconversion were evaluated with univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 99 of 2794 (3.5%) HCW at baseline and in 376 of 2315 (16.2%) participants 6 months later. In multivariable analyses the strongest association for seroconversion was exposure to a household member with known COVID-19 (aOR: 19.82, 95% CI 8.11–48.43, p < 0.001 at baseline and aOR: 8.68, 95% CI 6.13–12.29, p < 0.001 at follow-up). Significant occupational risk factors at baseline included exposure to COVID-19 patients (aOR: 2.79, 95% CI 1.28–6.09, p = 0.010) and to SARS-CoV-2 infected co-workers (aOR: 2.50, 95% CI 1.52–4.12, p < 0.001). At follow up 6 months later, non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals (aOR: 2.54, 95% CI 1.66–3.89 p < 0.001) and the local COVID-19 incidence of the corresponding HCI (aOR: 1.98, 95% CI 1.30–3.02, p = 0.001) were associated with seroconversion. The healthcare institutions’ mask policy (surgical masks during usual exposure vs. general use of FFP-2 masks) did not affect seroconversion rates of HCW during the first and the second pandemic wave. Conclusion Contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected household members was the most important risk factor for seroconversion among HCW. The strongest occupational risk factor was exposure to COVID-19 patients. During this pandemic, with heavy non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the mask policy of HCIs did not affect the seroconversion rate of HCWs.

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SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers in Germany: A Follow-Up Study

Cited by 13 publications

References 29 publications

Herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the population of the Republic of Belarus amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the population of the Republic of Belarus amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center

Healthcare institutions’ recommendation regarding the use of FFP-2 masks and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among healthcare workers: a multicenter longitudinal cohort study

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