scholarly journals Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and symptoms in an Irish Healthcare Worker (HCW) setting: Results of the COVID Antibody Staff Testing (CAST) Study

Author(s):  
Joanna Griffin ◽  
Elizabeth Tully ◽  
Fiona Cody ◽  
Katherine Edwards ◽  
Kara Moran ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThis study examined the natural history, including incidence and prevalence, of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies serially up to 6 months post infection in Irish Healthcare Workers (HCWs) at an academic tertiary maternity hospital, during the first pandemic peak from March to September 2020.DesignThis single centre observational study profiled SARS-CoV-2 incidence and infection using viral RNA detected using oro/nasopharyngeal swabs accompanied by serological assessment of study participants for the presence of S SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Participant demographics were also collected alongside information on clinical symptoms and time to recovery. Real time polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) for viral RNA SARS-CoV-2 detection was performed using the Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 three gene target 2019-nCoV assay (SeeGene Inc., Rep. of Korea) or the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay on the GeneXpert platform (Cepheid, USA). Blood samples were obtained at the time of initial swab and at up to 4 time points thereafter, for the serological assessment of antibodies against both the spike and nucleocapsid protein antigens of SARS-CoV-2. Serological response was measured using the Captia™ Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG) ELISA (Trinity Biotech) as part of a clinical performance evaluation. Two other testing methods were also used; the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA (IgG) assay (EuroImmun) and the Abbott Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG 75 kit on the Architect™ i2000SR instrument (Abbott Laboratories).SettingAcademic Tertiary Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.ParticipantsWe invited symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers employed at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital to participate in the CAST study.Main Outcome MeasuresThe CAST study aimed to examine incidence and clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs and to determine the presence and longevity of antibodies in this group. We also sought to examine the clinical utility of the Captia™ Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG) ELISA (Trinity Biotech) and to compare it to the current “accepted” gold standard platform in Ireland.ResultsBy July 2020, 398 molecular tests had been completed on symptomatic staff with clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this cohort, 14% (n=54/398) had SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected by RT-PCR. The CAST study enrolled 137 HCWs with 86 participants symptomatic at time of swab collection and a further 51 asymptomatic control participants. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 52% (n=45/86) symptomatic study participants and serological positivity was confirmed in 98% (n=44/45) of those participants. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 RNA infection was detected in 4% (n=2/51) of control participants with a seropositivity rate in this group of 8% (n=4/51). We demonstrated that 95% of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive participants have detectable levels of antibodies at 100 days post infection, which persisted in 91% of participants at day 160+. Ongoing symptoms up to six months post infection were present in 50% of study participants with positive PCR and serology results. These data will be important to consider for long-term workforce planning in a healthcare setting, as the ongoing pandemic continues.FundingThe CAST study was supported by the Rotunda Hospital and Trinity Biotech.

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-63
Author(s):  
Shelesh Kumar Swami ◽  
Nitesh Kumar Chauhan ◽  
Shuchi Goyal ◽  
A.K. Verma ◽  
Shweta Biyani

Background:Current pandemic caused by Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causes clinical symptoms from fever to acute respiratory distress syndrome but may remain mild or asymptomatic. To evaluate the cumulative prevalence of SARSCoV-2 infection in a community and know how immune response develops in the population, reliable assay alongwith RT-PCR for detection of SARS-CoV 2 antibodies is needed. Healthcare workers (HCWs) represent a high-risk populat - ion for infection with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We evaluated total antibodies recognizing the SARS CoV 2 receptor binding domain (S1-RBD) - - - or the Spike protein over a period of six months in a total of 310 healthcare workers engaged in hospital using SARS-CoV-2 Total antibody assay kit. Findings: The overall seroprevalence found in our analysis was 41.93%. In case of males the percentage positive was found to be signicantly higher at 43.91%, compared to females at 36.25%. Seroprevalence was signicantly higher in 50 years above age group in comparison to 20-50 years old aged healthcare workers. The seroprevalence was higher in doctors, nursing staff and lab technicians than other healthcare professionals as 44.6%. Conclusions: This study showed high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers which means remaining proportion of the healthcare workers are still susceptible to the infection. Good compliance to infection eradication and control measures, adequate PPEs, and early detection and isolation of healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 are mandatory to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramachandran Thiruvengadam ◽  
Souvick Chattopadhyay ◽  
Farha Mehdi ◽  
Bapu Koundinya Desiraju ◽  
Susmita Chaudhuri ◽  
...  

AbstractClinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection are now widely available, but there are few data on longitudinal serology in large cohorts, particularly from low-and middle-income countries. We established an ongoing prospective cohort of 3840 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals in the Delhi-National Capital Region of India, to document clinical and immunological characteristics during illness and convalescence. The IgG responses to the receptor binding domain (RBD) and nucleocapsid were assessed at 0-7, 10-28 days and 6-10 weeks after infection. The clinical predictors of seroconversion were identified by multivariable regression analysis. The seroconversion rates in the post-infection windows of 0–7 days, 10–28 days and 6–10 weeks were 46%, 84.7% and 85.3% respectively (n=782). The proportion with a serological response increased with severity of COVID-19 disease. All participants with severe disease, 89.6% with mild to moderate infection and 77.3% of asymptomatic participants had IgG antibodies to the RBD antigen. The threshold values in the nasopharyngeal viral RNA RT-PCR in a subset of asymptomatic and symptomatic seroconverters were comparable (p value: 0.48), with similar results among non-seroconverters (p value: 0.16) (n=169). This is the first report of longitudinal humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection over a period of ten weeks from South Asia. The low seropositivity in asymptomatic participants and differences between assays highlight the importance of contextualizing the understanding of population serosurveys.SummaryWe measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD and NC protein IgG in a multi-hospital-based prospective cohort from northern India up to ten weeks post-infection. The lower seroconversion rate among asymptomatic RT-PCR positive participants has public health significance particularly for interpreting community seroprevalence estimates.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262169
Author(s):  
Sebastian Havervall ◽  
August Jernbom Falk ◽  
Jonas Klingström ◽  
Henry Ng ◽  
Nina Greilert-Norin ◽  
...  

Current SARS-CoV-2 serological assays generate discrepant results, and the longitudinal characteristics of antibodies targeting various antigens after asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 are yet to be established. This longitudinal cohort study including 1965 healthcare workers, of which 381 participants exhibited antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen at study inclusion, reveal that these antibodies remain detectable in most participants, 96%, at least four months post infection, despite having had no or mild symptoms. Virus neutralization capacity was confirmed by microneutralization assay in 91% of study participants at least four months post infection. Contrary to antibodies targeting the spike protein, antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein were only detected in 80% of previously anti-nucleocapsid IgG positive healthcare workers. Both anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid IgG levels were significantly higher in previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients four months post infection than in healthcare workers four months post infection (p = 2*10−23 and 2*10−13 respectively). Although the magnitude of humoral response was associated with disease severity, our findings support a durable and functional humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 infection even after no or mild symptoms. We further demonstrate differences in antibody kinetics depending on the antigen, arguing against the use of the nucleocapsid protein as target antigen in population-based SARS-CoV-2 serological surveys.


2021 ◽  
pp. 31-33
Author(s):  
Shelesh Kumar Swami ◽  
Nitesh Kumar Chauhan ◽  
Shuchi Goyal ◽  
A.K. Verma ◽  
Shweta Biyani

Background: Current pandemic caused by Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causes clinical symptoms from fever to acute respiratory distress syndrome but may remain mild or asymptomatic. To evaluate the cumulative prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a community and know how immune response develops in the population, reliable assay alongwith RT-PCR for detection of SARS CoV 2 antibodies is needed. Healthcare workers (HCWs) represent a high-risk population for infection with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We evaluated total antibodies recognizing the SARS CoV 2 receptor binding domain (S1-RBD) or the Spike protein over a period of six months in a total of 310 healthcare workers engaged in hospital using SARS-CoV-2 Total antibody assay kit. The overall Findings: seroprevalence found in our analysis was 41.93%. In case of males the percentage positive was found to be signicantly higher at 43.91%, compared to females at 36.25%. Seroprevalence was signicantly higher in 50 years above age group in comparison to 20-50 years old aged healthcare workers. The seroprevalence was higher in doctors, nursing staff and lab technicians than other healthcare professionals as 44.6%. Conclusions: This study showed high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers which means remaining proportion of the healthcare workers are still susceptible to the infection. Good compliance to infection eradication and control measures, adequate PPEs, and early detection and isolation of healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 are mandatory to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Havervall ◽  
August Jernbom Falk ◽  
Jonas Klingström ◽  
Henry Ng ◽  
Nina Greilert-Norin ◽  
...  

AbstractCurrent SARS-CoV-2 serological assays generate discrepant results, and the longitudinal characteristics of antibodies targeting various antigens after asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 are yet to be established. This longitudinal cohort study including 1972 healthcare workers, of which 386 participants exhibited antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen at study inclusion, reveal that these antibodies remain detectable in the vast majority of participants, 98%, at least four months post infection, despite having had no or mild symptoms. These antibody levels did not differ from those found in 59 convalescent COVID-19 patients (p=0.7). Virus neutralization capacity was confirmed by microneutralization assay in 93% of study participants at least four months post infection. Contrary to antibodies targeting the spike protein, antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein were only detected in 68% of previously anti-nucleocapsid IgG positive healthcare workers, and these four-month follow-up levels were substantially lower in healthcare workers than in convalescent COVID-19 patients (p=2*10-5). Our findings support a durable and functional humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 infection, even after no or mild symptoms. We further demonstrate differences in antibody kinetics depending on the antigen, arguing against the use of the nucleocapsid protein as target antigen in population-based SARS-CoV-2 serological surveys.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249550
Author(s):  
Beata Kasztelewicz ◽  
Katarzyna Janiszewska ◽  
Julia Burzyńska ◽  
Emilia Szydłowska ◽  
Marek Migdał ◽  
...  

Data on the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody in healthcare workers (HCWs) is scarce, especially in pediatric settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positivity among HCWs of a tertiary pediatric hospital. In addition, follow-up of the serological response in the subgroup of seropositive HCWs was analysed, to gain some insight on the persistence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. We performed a retrospective analysis of voluntary SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing, which was made available free of charge to HCWs of the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw (Poland). Plasma samples were collected between July 1 and August 9, 2020, and tested using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. Of 2,282 eligible participants, 1,879 (82.3%) HCWs volunteered to undergo testing. Sixteen HCWs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, corresponding to a seroprevalence of 0.85%. Among seropositive HCWs, three HCWs had confirmed COVID-19. Nine (56.3%) of the seropositive HCWs reported neither symptoms nor unprotected contact with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in the previous months. A decline in the IgG index was observed at a median time of 86.5 days (range:84‒128 days) after symptom onset or RT-PCR testing. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the duration of persistence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, as well as the correlation between seropositivity and protective immunity against reinfection. Regardless of the persistence of antibodies and their protective properties, such low prevalence indicates that this population is vulnerable to a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasco C. Romão ◽  
Filipa Oliveira-Ramos ◽  
Ana Rita Cruz-Machado ◽  
Patrícia Martins ◽  
Sofia Barreira ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo describe our experience with a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak within a large rheumatology department, early in the pandemic.MethodsSymptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) had a naso-oropharyngeal swab for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and were followed clinically. Reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) was repeated to document cure, and serological response was assessed. Patients with risk contacts within the department in the 14 days preceding the outbreak were screened for COVID-19 symptoms.Results14/34 HCWs (41%; 40±14 years, 71% female) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and 11/34 (32%) developed symptoms but were RT-PCR-negative. Half of RT-PCR-positive HCWs did not report fever, cough, or dyspnoea before testing, which were absent in 3/14 cases (21%). Mild disease prevailed (79%), but 3 HCWs had moderate disease requiring further assessment, which excluded severe complications. Nevertheless, symptom duration (28±18 days), viral shedding (31±10 days post-symptom onset, range 15-51) and work absence (29±28 days) were prolonged. 13/14 (93%) of RT-PCR-positive and none of the RT-PCR-negative HCWs had a positive humoral response, with higher IgG-index in individuals over 50 years (14.5±7.7 vs 5.0±4.4, p=0.012). Of 617 rheumatic patients, 8 (1.3%) developed COVID-19 symptoms (1/8 hospitalisation, 8/8 complete recovery), following a consultation/procedure with an asymptomatic (7/8) or mildly-symptomatic (1/8) HCW.ConclusionsA COVID-19 outbreak can occur among HCWs and rheumatic patients, swiftly spreading over the presymptomatic stage. Mild disease without typical symptoms should be recognised, and may evolve with delayed viral shedding, prolonged recovery, and adequate immune response in most individuals.Key messagesHigh infection rates have been reported in healthcare workers (HCWs) dealing with COVID-19 patients. Less is known about potential transmission by pre/asymptomatic carriers, which may be important in the context of rheumatology practice, among both HCWs and patients.A COVID-19 outbreak in a rheumatology department affected 41% of HCWs, with fast spreading throughout the presymptomatic stage.Mild disease without typical symptoms was common, especially in early phases, evolving with delayed viral shedding (unto 51 days), prolonged recovery (average one month), and adequate immune response (93%) in most individuals.Transmission by mostly asymptomatic HCWs occurred to a minority of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), who had a globally favourable outcome.Asymptomatic and mild disease forms among HCWs should be recognised. Assertive infection control measures and testing strategies are warranted to prevent subclinical contagion between HCWs and patients with RMDs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Putu Eka Sudaryatma ◽  
Artanti Tri Lestari

Di Indonesia dilaporkan bahwa VNN (Viral Nervous Necrosis) telah menyerang sebagian besar budidaya ikan kerapu dengan tingkat kematian 100%. Untuk mencegah penyebaran penyakit VNN pada kerapu yang dilalulintaskan Balai Karantina Ikan Pengendalian Mutu dan Keamanan Hasil Perikanan kelas I Denpasar mengembangkan pemeriksaan imunohistokimia untuk mengetahui tingkat patogenitas VNN sebagai dasar penanggulangan dan pencegahan penyakit VNN di wilayah Bali. Kerapu macan berukuran 150 g - 300 g sebanyak 50 ekor diaklimatisasi, sepuluh ekor kerapu sebagai kontrol, 40 ekor diinjeksi dengan inokulum VNN (isolat Bali) konsentrasi 101,5 yang dipelihara tanpa siklus pergantian air. Pengamatan gejala klinis dan pengambilan sampel organ dilakukan 12 jam pasca infeksi dan berturut-turut setiap 12 jam. Pengambilan organ digunakan untuk pemeriksaan imunohistokimia (streptavidin-biotin) dan uji konfirmasi menggunakan pemeriksaa RT- PCR kit IQ-2000 VNN. Hasil imunohistokimia pada 24 jam pertama hanya menyerang mata dan otak, 36 jam pasca infeksi virus penyebab VNN terdapat di organ jantung, 48 jam pasca infeksi virus penyebab VNN terdapat di organ hati dan limpa yang diakhiri pada 60 jam pasca infeksi virus penyebab VNN berada di organ ginjal. Distribusi VNN yang luas pada seluruh organ tubuh menunjukkan bahwa viraemia menjadi faktor penting dalam patogenesis infeksi penyakit VNN.Kata kunci: VNN, patogenitas, kerapu macan, imunohistokimia (Imunohistochemistry of Pathogenicity Viral Nervous Necrosis Bali Field Isolate are Infected in Tiger Grouper Marine Culture)In Indonesia was reported VNN (Viral Nervous Necrosis) has invaded most of grouper culture with a mortality rate of 100%. To prevent the spread of VNN in groupers export from Balai Karantina Ikan Pengendalian Mutu dan Keamanan Hasil Perikanan kelas I Denpasar, it develop immunohistochemistry to determine the level of pathogenicity VNN as a basis for prevention and disease prevention VNN in Bali. Tiger grouper sized 150 - 300 g as much as 50 animals acclimatized, ten head of grouper as a control, 40 tails were injected with an inoculum concentration of 101.5 VNN are preserved without change of the water cycle. Observation of clinical symptoms and organ sampling performed 12 hours post-infection and successively every 12 hours, making the organ used for immunohistochemistry (streptavidin-biotin) and a confirmatory test using RT - PCR kit examination of the IQ -2000 VNN. Immunohistochemical results on the first 24 hours only attacks the eyes and brain, 36 hours post-infection the virus that was found in cardiac, 48 hours post-infection the virus that VNN contained in the liver and spleen were terminated at 57 hours post-infection the virus in the kidney. Spread of VNN distribution in all organs showed that viraemia is an important factor in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases VNN.Keywords: VNN, immunohistochemistry, tiger grouper, patogenitas


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Branka Vidić ◽  
Sara Savić ◽  
Živoslav Grgić ◽  
Dejan Bugarski ◽  
Diana Lupulović ◽  
...  

Equine infectious anemia is a consequence of a persistant infection of the horses with Lentivirus. Pathogenesis of the disease is very variable, what can bee seen through a wide range of clinical forms of the disease – from inaparrent infection to death. Diagnostics of EIA is based on clinical symptoms, detection of antibodies and virus. Antibodies can be identified with Hi, VN, CFIT, cELISA, SA-ELISA and AGID test. RT-PCR technique enables the detection of and/or quantifi cation of viral RNA level in blood of infected animal. First reliable serological test for EIA was AGID test. Modified AGID test is considered today as aknowledged, international standard for the detection of antibodies against EIA virus and it enables detection of more then 95% of ll positive animals. Horses with positive fi ndings with this test are considered infected and should be euthanized or placed in strict isolation. Further measures to control the spread of this disease are insectvector control and disinfection of surgical and other equipment in use on successive animals. Th e results of a study during a twenty year period, in the region of AP Vojvodina show that from the total of 11.972 horses blood samples, with te use of AGID test, positive results were found in 21 or 0,17% of horses.


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