scholarly journals Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers in a country with low burden of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Psichogiou ◽  
Andreas Karabinis ◽  
Ioanna D. Pavlopoulou ◽  
Dimitrios Basoulis ◽  
Konstantinos Petsios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Attack Rate ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Point Of Care Test ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Weighted Prevalence

AbstractGreece is a country with limited spread of SARS-CoV-2 and cumulative infection attack rate of 0.12% (95%CI 0.06%-0.26%). Health care workers (HCWs) are a well-recognized risk group for COVID-19. The study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in two hospitals and assess potential risk factors. Hospital-1 was involved in the care of COVID-19 patients while hospital-2 was not. A validated, rapid, IgM/IgG antibody point-of care test was used. 1,495 individuals consented to participate (response rate 77%). The anti-SARS-CoV-2 weighted prevalence was 1.07% (95%CI 0.37-1.78) overall and 0.44% (95%CI 0.12-1.13) and 2.4% (95%CI 0.51-8.19) in hospital-1 and hospital-2, respectively. The overall, hospital-1, and hospital-2 seroprevalence was 9, 3 and 20 times higher than the estimated infection attack rate in general population, respectively. Suboptimal use of personal protective equipment was noted in both hospitals. These data have implications for the preparedness of a second wave of COVID-19 epidemic.

scholarly journals Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers in a country with low burden of COVID-19

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Psichogiou ◽  
Andreas Karabinis ◽  
Ioanna D. Pavlopoulou ◽  
Dimitrios Basoulis ◽  
Konstantinos Petsios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Attack Rate ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Point Of Care Test ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Second Wave

Introduction Greece is a country with limited spread of SARS-CoV-2 and cumulative infection attack rate of 0.12% (95% CI 0.06–0.26). Health care workers (HCWs) are a well-recognized risk group for COVID-19. The study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in a nosocomial setting and assess potential risk factors. Methods HCWs from two hospitals participated in the study. Hospital-1 was a tertiary university affiliated center, involved in the care of COVID-19 patients while hospital-2 was a tertiary specialized cardiac surgery center not involved in the care of these patients. A validated, CE, rapid, IgM/IgG antibody point-of-care test was used. Comparative performance with a reference globally available assay was assessed. Results 1,495 individuals consented to participate (response rate 77%). The anti-SARS-CoV-2 weighted prevalence was 1.26% (95% CI 0.43, 3.26) overall and 0.53% (95% CI 0.06, 2.78) and 2.70% (95% CI 0.57, 9.19) in hospital-1 and hospital-2, respectively although the study was underpowered to detect statistically significant differences. The overall, hospital-1, and hospital-2 seroprevalence was 10, 4 and 22 times higher than the estimated infection attack rate in general population, respectively. Suboptimal use of personal protective equipment was noted in both hospitals. Conclusions These data have implications for the preparedness of a second wave of COVID-19 epidemic, given the low burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection rate, in concordance with national projections.

scholarly journals 460. Point-of-Care, In-Home SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Testing to Assess Seroprevalence in At-Risk Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S297-S297
Author(s):  
Eric G Meissner ◽  
Christine Litwin ◽  
Tricia Crocker ◽  
Elizabeth Mack ◽  
Lauren Card
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Documented Infection ◽  
Inconclusive Result ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background Health care workers are at significant risk for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Methods We utilized a point-of-care, lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassay (RayBiotech) to conduct a seroprevalence study in a cohort of at-risk health care workers (n=339) and normal-risk controls (n=100) employed at an academic medical center. To minimize exposure risk while conducting the study, consents were performed electronically, tests were mailed and then self-administered at home using finger stick blood, and subjects uploaded a picture of the test result while answering an electronic questionnaire. We also validated the assay using de-identified serum samples from patients with PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Between April 14th and May 6th 2020, 439 subjects were enrolled. Subjects were 68% female, 93% white, and most were physicians (38%) and nurses (27%). In addition, 37% had at least 1 respiratory symptom in the prior month, 34% had cared for a patient with known SARS-CoV-2 infection, 57% and 23% were worried about exposure at work or in the community, respectively, and 5 reported prior documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. On initial testing, 3 subjects had a positive IgG test, 336 had a negative test, and 87 had an inconclusive result. Of those with an inconclusive result who conducted a repeat test (85%), 96% had a negative result. All 3 positive IgG tests were in subjects reporting prior documented infection. Laboratory validation showed that of those with PCR-proven infection more than 13 days prior, 23/30 were IgG positive (76% sensitivity), whereas 1/26 with a negative prior PCR test were seropositive (95% specificity). Repeat longitudinal serologic testing every 30 days for up to 4 times is currently in progress. Conclusion We conducted a contact-free study in the setting of a pandemic to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in an at-risk group of health care workers. The only subjects found to be IgG positive were those with prior documented infection, even though a substantial proportion of subjects reported significant potential occupational or community exposure and symptoms that were potentially compatible with SARS-COV-2 infection. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Point-of-care diagnostics: needs of African health care workers and their role combating global antimicrobial resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-410
Author(s):  
Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi ◽  
Ruth Kikonyogo ◽  
Yu-Hsiang Hsieh ◽  
Edith Nakku-Joloba ◽  
Yukari C Manabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Email Survey

Point-of-care tests (POCTs) offer the opportunity for increased diagnostic capacity in resource-limited settings, where there is lack of electricity, technical capacity, reagents, and infrastructure. Understanding how POCTs are currently used and determining what health care workers (HCWs) need is key to development of appropriate tests. In 2016, we undertook an email survey of 7584 HCWs who had received training at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Uganda, in a wide variety of courses. HCWs were contacted up to three times and asked to complete the survey using Qualtrics software. Of 555 participants answering the survey (7.3% response rate), 62% completed. Ninety-one percent were from Uganda and 50.3% were male. The most commonly-used POCTs were pregnancy tests (74%), urine dipstick (71%), syphilis rapid test (66%), and Gram stain (41%). The majority (74%) practiced syndromic diagnosis for sexually transmitted infections/HIV. Lack of availability of POCTs, increased patient wait time, and lack of training were the leading barriers for POCT use. Increasing POCT availability and training could improve uptake of POCTs for sexually transmitted infections in Africa and decrease syndromic management. This could reduce overtreatment and slow the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This is the first published email survey of HCWs in Uganda; mechanisms to increase the response rate should be evaluated.

scholarly journals “The right time is just after birth”: acceptability of point-of-care birth testing in Eswatini: qualitative results from infant caregivers, health care workers, and policymakers

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Sacks ◽  
Philisiwe Khumalo ◽  
Bhekisisa Tsabedze ◽  
William Montgomery ◽  
Nobuhle Mthethwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Birth Testing ◽  
The Right

scholarly journals Caveats in interpreting SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM + /IgG − antibody profile in asymptomatic health care workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 634-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arantxa Valdivia ◽  
Ignacio Torres ◽  
Dixie Huntley ◽  
María Jesús Alcaraz ◽  
Eliseo Albert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Antibody Profile

scholarly journals Impact of second wave of COVID-19 on health care workers in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0
Author(s):  
VijayKumar Jain ◽  
KarthikeyanP Iyengar ◽  
Pranav Ish ◽  
Raju Vaishya
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Second Wave

scholarly journals “The right time is just after birth”: Acceptability of point-of-care birth testing in Eswatini: qualitative results from infant caregivers, health care workers, and policymakers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Sacks ◽  
Philisiwe Khumalo ◽  
Bhekisisa Tsabedze ◽  
William Montgomery ◽  
Nobuhle Mthethwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Testing Machine ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Return Of Results ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Birth Testing ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background: Testing for HIV at birth has the potential to identify infants infected in utero , and allows for the possibility of beginning treatment immediately after birth; point of care (POC) testing allows rapid return of results and faster initiation on treatment for positive infants. Eswatini piloted birth testing in three public maternities for over two years. Methods: In order to assess the acceptability of POC birth testing in the pilot sites in Eswatini, interviews were held with caregivers of HIV-exposed infants who were offered birth testing (N=28), health care workers (N=14), and policymakers (N=10). Participants were purposively sampled. Interviews were held in English or SiSwati, and transcribed in English. Transcripts were coded by line, and content analysis and constant comparison were used to identify key themes for each respondent type. Results: Responses were categorized into: knowledge, experience, opinions, barriers and challenges, facilitators, and suggestions to improve POC birth testing. Preliminary findings reveal that point of care birth testing has been very well received but challenges were raised. Most caregivers appreciated testing the newborns at birth and getting results quickly, since it reduced anxiety of waiting for several weeks. However, having a favorable experience with testing was linked to having supportive and informed family members and receiving a negative result. Caregivers did not fully understand the need for blood draws as opposed to tests with saliva, and expressed the fears of seeing their newborns in pain. They were specifically grateful for supportive nursing staff who respected their confidentiality. Health care workers expressed strong support for the program but commented on the high demand for testing, increased workload, difficulty with errors in the testing machine itself, and struggles to implement the program without sufficient staffing, especially on evenings and weekends when phlebotomists were not available. Policymakers noted that there have been challenges within the program of losing mothers to follow up after they leave hospital, and recommended stronger linkages to community groups. Conclusions: There is strong support for scale-up of POC birth testing, but countries should consider ways to optimize staffing and manage demand.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Rubella Immunity (IgG Antibody) among Female Health Care Workers in a Hospital in Southern India

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kandasamy ◽  
D Jeyakumari ◽  
E Premalatha ◽  
Jamunrani Srirangaramasamy ◽  
M Balamurugan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Care Workers

scholarly journals Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after 3rd mRNA vaccination in health care workers and elderly subjects and response to a single dose in previously infected adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anu Haveri ◽  
Anna Solastie ◽  
Nina Ekström ◽  
Pamela Österlund ◽  
Hanna Nohynek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Care Workers

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) with major spike protein mutations has raised concern over potential neutralization escape and breakthrough infections among vaccinated and previously SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects. We measured cross-protective antibodies against variants in health care workers (HCW, n=20) and nursing home residents (n=9) from samples collected 1-2 months following the booster (3rd) dose. We also assessed the antibody responses in prior to Omicron era infected subjects (n=38) with subsequent administration of a single mRNA vaccine dose. Following booster vaccination HCWs had high IgG antibody concentrations to the spike protein and neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were detectable against all variants. IgG concentrations among the elderly remained lower, and some lacked NAbs against the Beta and Omicron variants. NAb titers were significantly reduced against Delta, Beta and Omicron compared to wild-type virus regardless of age. Vaccination induced high IgG concentrations and variable titers of cross-reactive NAbs in previously infected subjects, whereas NAb titers against Omicron were barely detectable 1-month post-infection. High IgG concentrations with cross-protective neutralizing activity were detected after three COVID-19 vaccine doses in HCWs. However, lower NAb titers seen in the frail elderly suggest inadequate protection against Omicron breakthrough infections, yet protection against severe COVID-19 is expected.

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