Sero-prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers: A multicenter study from Egypt

Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk for disease exposure. Given the limited availability of nucleic acid testing by PCR in low resource settings, serological assays can provide useful data on the proportion of HCWs who have recently or previously been infected. Therefore, in this study, we conducted an immunologic study to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in two university hospitals in Egypt. Methods in this cross sectional study, HCWs who were working in SARS-CoV-2 Isolation Hospitals were interviewed. Estimating specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 was carried out using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay targeting the Spike antigen of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results Out of 111, 82 (74%) HCWs accepted to participate with a mean age of 31.5 ± 8.5 years. Anti-SARS-COV2 antibodies were detected in 38/82 (46.3%) of cases with a mean age of 31 years and female HCWs constituted 57.6% of cases. The highest rate of seropositivity was from the nurses (60.5%), and physicians (31.6%) with only (7.9%) technicians. Only 28/82 (34.1%) HCWs reported previous history of COVID19. We reported a statistically significant difference in the timing of exposure (p = 0.010) and the frequency of contact with COVID-19 cases (p = 0.040) between previously infected and on-infected HCWs. Longer time of recovery was reported from IgG positive HCWs (p = 0.036). Conclusion The high frequency of seropositive HCWs in investigated hospitals is alarming, especially among asymptomatic personnel. Confirmation of diseased HCWs (among seropositive ones) are warranted.

Prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike antibodies in some healthcare settings in Egypt

“…Of the 559 HCWs, 34.1% had a positive history of COVID-19 infection. Although this percentage is higher than several other reported results (3.7 to 20%) in Egypt [ 4 , 14 , 15 ], it is consistent with that recorded by El-Sokkary et al (yet their sample size was smaller [ n = 82 HCWs], all were working in isolation hospitals) [ 16 ]. Two studies, one in Germany [ 17 ] and the other in the Netherlands [ 18 ], reported much lower infection rates among HCWs (5.4% and 1%, respectively), reflecting strict adherence to infection control measures.…”

“…Among those who neither were vaccinated nor had a history of infection, 39.1% were seropositive for anti-S, denoting the high rate of silent and asymptomatic infections. Slightly higher rates (40.3%) were even reported in a similar study by El-Sokkary et al in Egypt among unvaccinated HCWs [ 16 ], but all of those were HCWs in isolation hospitals only. In contrast, our study included heterogeneous hospital types; therefore, our rate would be considered high for such hospital types.…”

“…In contrast, our study included heterogeneous hospital types; therefore, our rate would be considered high for such hospital types. Nevertheless, lower rates were reported in a study in Saudi Arabia (14.8%) [ 16 ]. Our high rates emphasize the importance of serosurveillance for anti-S among HCWs, not merely counting on screening for clinical symptoms of COVID-19.…”

Perceptions and experiences of COVID-19 vaccines’ side effects among healthcare workers at an Egyptian University Hospital: a cross-sectional study

“…Besides the increased mortality risk, various studies have revealed that COVID-19 hurts HCWs’ psychological and well-being status [ 4 ]. A systematic review reported the prevalence of COVID-19-positive HCWs throughout the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic as 51.7%, and a multicenter study from Egypt demonstrated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies as 46.3% [ 5 , 6 ]. We are experiencing a rapid spread due to SARS-CoV-2 because of its continuous mutations and quickly spreading infection [ 7 ].…”

Prevalence and determinants of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in Lebanon

“…Hence, exposure in work settings that allow for more person-to-person interactions, such as members of the ISF, is a risk factor for infection. A multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Egypt from October to December 2020, covering 11,182 healthcare workers from SARS-CoV-2 isolation hospitals, showed a positivity rate of 46.3% among participants, with the highest rate observed among nurses [ 9 ]. A study was conducted in KSA in May 2020 to evaluate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among 12,621 healthcare workers in various hospitals, including hospitals dealing with COVID-19 patients.…”