Cross-sectional prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers in paediatric facilities in eight countries

Autor: Oana Falup-Pecurariu, Louis Grandjean, I. Papadatou, Mark H. Johnson, Inga Ivaskeviciene, David Goldblatt, Vana Spoulou, Rimvydas Ivaskevicius, Eda Tamm, D. Isarova, Laura Bleotu, Z. Franckling-Smith, Dace Zavadska, M. Wagner, J. Lischka, Heather J. Zar, P. Jõgi
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of hospital infection, London : W B Saunders Co Ltd, 2021, vol. 110, p. 60-66
The Journal of Hospital Infection
Journal of Hospital Infection
ISSN: 0195-6701
1532-2939
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.019
Popis: Summary 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.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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