scholarly journals Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic healthcare workers in greater Houston: a cross-sectional analysis of surveillance data from a large healthcare system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhaan S. Vahidy ◽  
H. Dirk Sostman ◽  
David W. Bernard ◽  
Marc L. Boom ◽  
Ashley L. Drews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
List Type ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Pcr Test

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic COVID-19 facing and non-COVID-19 facing Healthcare Workers (HCWs), with varying job categories across different hospitals.DesignCross-sectional analysis of a healthcare system surveillance program that included asymptomatic clinical (COVID-19 facing and non-COVID-19 facing), and non-clinical HCWs. A convenience sample of asymptomatic community residents (CR) was also tested. Proportions and 95% confidence Intervals (CI) of SARS-CoV-2 positive HCWs are reported. Proportional trend across HCW categories was tested using Chi Square trend test. Logistic regression model-based likelihood estimates of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence among HCWs with varying job functions and across different hospitals are reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and CI.SettingHealthcare system comprising one tertiary care academic medical center and six large community hospitals across Greater Houston and a community sample.Participants2,872 self-reported asymptomatic adult (> 18 years) HCWs and CRs.ExposureClinical HCWs in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 units, non-Clinical HCWs, and CRs. Job categories of Nursing, Providers, Allied Health, Support, and Administration / Research. Seven hospitals in the healthcare system.Main OutcomesPositive reverse transcriptase polymerized chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2ResultsAmong 2,872 asymptomatic HCWs and CRs, 3.9% (CI: 3.2 – 4.7) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Mean (SD) age was 40.9 (11.7) years and 73% were females. Among COVID-19 facing HCWs 5.4% (CI: 4.5 – 6.5) were positive, whereas 0.6% (CI: 0.2 – 1.7%) of non COVID-19 facing HCWs and none of the non-clinical HCWs or CRs were positive (Ptrend < 0.001). Among COVID-19 facing HCWs, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was similar for all job categories (p = 0.74). However, significant differences in positivity were observed across hospitals.Conclusions and RelevanceAsymptomatic HCWs with COVID-19 patient exposure had a higher rate of SARS-CoV-2 positive testing than those not routinely exposed to COVID-19 patients and those not engaged in patient care. Among HCWs with routine COVID-19 exposure, all job types had relatively similar infection rates. These data can inform hospital surveillance and infection control practices for patient-facing job classifications and suggest that general environmental exposure within hospitals is not a significant source of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.What is already known on this topicA sizeable proportion of individuals who contract the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can remain largely asymptomatic.Though such individuals may not develop symptoms, they continue to shed enough viral particles to trigger positive reverse transcriptase polymerized chain reaction (RT PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2Prior reports on proportion of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 individuals are highly variable with positivity ranging across < 1% to 36%Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers is specifically critical to understandWhat this study addsThis study demonstrates that overall rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic healthcare workers in a large healthcare system of a metropolitan city in the United States was 3.9%The rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients was 5.4% whereas it was 0.6% among those healthcare workers who did not provide direct care to COVID-19 patientsThere was no difference in SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate for different job categories of healthcare workers who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients

scholarly journals Antibodies to SARS-CoV2 detectable for less than 50 days in polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3378
Author(s):  
Nishant Kumar ◽  
Shibal Bhartiya ◽  
Tarundeep Singh
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Roche Diagnostics ◽  
Pcr Test

Background: A seroprevalence study for COVID-19 antibodies was conducted amongst health workers in Mumbai, India, in June 2020.Methods: Healthcare workers (n=801) underwent a cross sectional survey through electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Roche diagnostics’ Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay, Roche diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland).Results: Of the 801 healthcare workers, 62 who had been previously diagnosed with a real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, 45 (73.6%) were found to be seronegative during the study. The duration between the positive RT-PCR test and the serological testing ranged from 15 to 49 days for 34 (54.8%), and was >50 days in 28 subjects. Up to 28 days after a positive PCR test, 90% of the subjects were found to be seropositive, but this reduced to less than half over the next two weeks (38.5% between 29 and 42 days).Conclusions: Our findings are in agreement with previous reports that demonstrate a peak antibody formation after 3 weeks, and also an early antibody decay that is almost exponential. This may also have a significant effect on the protection vaccines are able to provide considering that a natural infection has such a transient antibody response. 

scholarly journals Comparing SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Anterior Nasal Vestibular Swabs vs. Oropharyngeal Swabs

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiyan Li ◽  
Ruoyan Wei ◽  
Yaling Yang ◽  
Taiwen He ◽  
Yinzhong Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nasal Vestibule ◽  
Specimen Collection ◽  
Clinical Center ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Sectional Analysis

PurposeTo investigate the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 testing in specimens collected from the anterior nasal vestibules of COVID-19 patients.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was performed on 30 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from March 14, 2020 to March 21, 2020. Paired specimens were collected from both the anterior nasal vestibule and the oropharynx from all patients. All specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays.ResultsOf the 30 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 17 patients (56.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 when oropharyngeal specimens were used, while 20 patients (66.7%) tested positive when nasal swab specimens were used. There was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the two methods.ConclusionsRespiratory swabs collected from the nasal vestibule offer a less invasive alternative to oropharyngeal swabs for specimen collection in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and have adequate sensitivity.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Intention among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 835
Author(s):  
Mohammed Noushad ◽  
Mohammad Zakaria Nassani ◽  
Anas B. Alsalhani ◽  
Pradeep Koppolu ◽  
Fayez Hussain Niazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Positive Sign ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused largescale morbidity and mortality and a tremendous burden on the healthcare system. Healthcare workers (HCWs) require adequate protection to avoid onward transmission and minimize burden on the healthcare system. Moreover, HCWs can also influence the general public into accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, determining COVID-19 vaccine intention among HCWs is of paramount importance to plan tailor-made public health strategies to maximize vaccine coverage. A structured questionnaire was administered in February and March 2021 among HCWs in Saudi Arabia using convenience sampling, proceeding the launch of the vaccination campaign. HCWs from all administrative regions of Saudi Arabia were included in the study. In total, 674 out of 1124 HCWs responded and completed the survey (response rate 59.9%). About 65 percent of the HCWs intended to get vaccinated. The intention to vaccinate was significantly higher among HCWs 50 years of age or older, Saudi nationals and those who followed the updates about COVID-19 vaccines (p < 0.05). The high percentage (26 percent) of those who were undecided in getting vaccinated is a positive sign. As the vaccination campaign gathers pace, the attitude is expected to change over time. Emphasis should be on planning healthcare strategies to convince the undecided HCWs into accepting the vaccine in order to achieve the coverage required to achieve herd immunity.

scholarly journals Eastern Cape Healthcare Workers Acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 (ECHAS): Cross-Sectional (Nested Cohort) Study Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi ◽  
David Stead ◽  
Mandisa Singata-Madliki ◽  
Joanne Batting ◽  
Leo Hyera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection by the virulent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Though data exist on the positivity rate of the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test as well as COVID-19-related deaths amongst HCWs in South Africa, the overall infection rate remains underestimated by these indicators. It is also unclear whether the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection offers durable protection against reinfection. This study will assess the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence amongst HCWs in the Eastern Cape (EC) and examine the longitudinal changes (rate of decay) in the antibody levels after infection in this cohort. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling of healthcare workers in selected health facilities in the EC, a cross-sectional study of 2250 participants will be recruited. In order to assess the community infection rate, 750 antenatal women in the same settings will be recruited. Relevant demographic and clinical characteristics will be obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. A chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) will be used for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. A nested cohort study will be conducted by performing eight-weekly antibody assays (X2) from 201 participants who tested positive for both SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and serology. Logistic regression models will be fitted to identify the independent risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and infection fatality rate among the frontline HCWs will be estimated. In addition, the study will highlight the overall effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures (IPC) per exposure sites/wards at the selected health facilities. Findings will inform the South African Department of Health’s policies on how to protect HCWs better as the country prepares for the second wave of the SARS-CoV pandemic.

scholarly journals A meta-analysis of accuracy and sensitivity of chest CT and RT-PCR in COVID-19 diagnosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Khatami ◽  
Mohammad Saatchi ◽  
Seyed Saeed Tamehri Zadeh ◽  
Zahra Sadat Aghamir ◽  
Alireza Namazi Shabestari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

AbstractNowadays there is an ongoing acute respiratory outbreak caused by the novel highly contagious coronavirus (COVID-19). The diagnostic protocol is based on quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and chests CT scan, with uncertain accuracy. This meta-analysis study determines the diagnostic value of an initial chest CT scan in patients with COVID-19 infection in comparison with RT-PCR. Three main databases; PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and EMBASE were systematically searched for all published literature from January 1st, 2019, to the 21st May 2020 with the keywords "COVID19 virus", "2019 novel coronavirus", "Wuhan coronavirus", "2019-nCoV", "X-Ray Computed Tomography", "Polymerase Chain Reaction", "Reverse Transcriptase PCR", and "PCR Reverse Transcriptase". All relevant case-series, cross-sectional, and cohort studies were selected. Data extraction and analysis were performed using STATA v.14.0SE (College Station, TX, USA) and RevMan 5. Among 1022 articles, 60 studies were eligible for totalizing 5744 patients. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of chest CT scan compared to RT-PCR were 87% (95% CI 85–90%), 46% (95% CI 29–63%), 69% (95% CI 56–72%), and 89% (95% CI 82–96%), respectively. It is important to rely on the repeated RT-PCR three times to give 99% accuracy, especially in negative samples. Regarding the overall diagnostic sensitivity of 87% for chest CT, the RT-PCR testing is essential and should be repeated to escape misdiagnosis.

Death and COVID-19 Anxiety in Home-Quarantined Individuals Aged 65 and Over During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110598
Author(s):  
Hümeyra Aslaner ◽  
Betül Özen ◽  
Zeliha K. Erten ◽  
Mebrure Beyza Gökçek
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Anxiety Score ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Test Result ◽  
Pcr Test

Urgent measures were taken for those at the age of 65 and over who were at the risk group all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is known that many individuals at the age of 65 and over have experienced anxiety due to the uncertainties. This study aimed to determine the anxiety and death anxiety in individuals aged 65 and over who were isolation at home due to being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being in contact during the pandemic process. The study is descriptive and cross-sectional. It was performed with 656 home-quarantined individuals aged between 65–80 years with positive or negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result. A form including questions about the death anxiety and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form prepared by the researchers were administered to the individuals by phone call. Of the participants, 49.5% were male. Median COVID-19 anxiety score was 4 (0–18). Anxiety scores of the male and female participants were similar. Participants with negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and those with death anxiety had higher COVID anxiety scores. Death anxiety has increased by 1.661 times in male gender, 1.983 times in RT-PCR positivity and 0.146 times in the presence of symptoms. Individuals with positive COVID-19 test results or those aged 65 and over who had death anxiety and negative COVID-19 test result but who were in home-isolation due to being a contact had higher anxiety score. For this reason, those with death anxiety can be supported in line with their religious beliefs to reduce anxiety. Those with negative PCR test results in quarantine can be adequately informed about the COVID-19.

scholarly journals Use of immunodot blot and multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in dengue virus detection in macerates of Aedes aegypti larvae

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Aline T.A. Chagas ◽  
Michelle D. Oliveira ◽  
Jose M.S. Mezencio ◽  
Eduardo A.M. Silva ◽  
Leandro L. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Denv Serotypes ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Techniques

The <em>Dengue virus</em> is the main arbovirus that affects man in terms of morbidity and mortality. The detection of the virus is very important for epidemiological surveillance, so here we propose to standardize and compare the immunodot blot (IDB) and multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (M-RT-PCR) techniques to detect and characterize the dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in samples of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> larvae. Thus, the IDB and M-RT-PCR techniques were standardized using macerated samples of larvae collected in nature. The use of monoclonal antibodies in IDB has not shown great results, but DENV detection through this method was possible using polyclonal antibodies. The distinction of serotypes 1, 2 and 3 was carried out by M-RT-PCR.

scholarly journals Deteksi Molekuler Virus Dengue dan Chikungunya pada Nyamuk Aedes spp. di Kecamatan Cilongok

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Dwi Iva Fitriana ◽  
Endang Srimurni Kusmintarsih ◽  
Trisnowati Budi Ambarningrum
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain

DBD dan chikungunya merupakan salah satu penyakit yang masih menjadi masalah di Indonesia. Kecamatan Cilongok merupakan salah kecamatan endemis DBD dan pernah mengalami KLB chikungunya. Deteksi virus pada nyamuk sebelum menginfeksi manusia penting sebagai peringatan dini dalam upaya pencegahan wabah di daerah endemis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui infeksi virus Dengue dan Chikungunya pada nyamuk Aedes spp. yang ditangkap. Penelitian ini dilakukan di empat desa di Kecamatan Cilongok yang meliputi Desa Cilongok, Pernasidi, Kalisari, dan Jatisaba, pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara purposive. Deteksi virus Dengue dan Chikungunya pada nyamuk dilakukan menggunakan metode Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Hasil positifitas virus dianalisis secara deskriptif untuk menggambarkan potensi transmisi virus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nyamuk Aedes spp. yang tertangkap tidak mengandung virus Dengue dan Chikungunya.  

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