Virological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections in health care workers

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. As no vaccine is 100% effective, breakthrough infections are expected to occur. We analyzed the virological characteristics of 161 vaccine breakthrough infections in a population of 24,706 vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs), using RT-PCR and virus culture. The delta variant (B.1.617.2) was identified in the majority of cases. Despite similar Ct-values, we demonstrate lower probability of infectious virus detection in respiratory samples of vaccinated HCWs with breakthrough infections compared to unvaccinated HCWs with primary SARS-CoV-2 infections. Nevertheless, infectious virus was found in 68.6% of breakthrough infections and Ct-values decreased throughout the first 3 days of illness. We conclude that rare vaccine breakthrough infections occur, but infectious virus shedding is reduced in these cases.

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Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence among non-vaccinated healthcare workers: a study from rural North India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20212586 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 3348

Author(s):

Pratibha Mane ◽

Jyoti Sangwan ◽

Kirti Lohan

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

North India ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Positive Form ◽

Care Workers ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The World

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease reported in China initially which spread around the world in no time affecting millions of people. It is caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or 2019 n-CoV). The healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of acquiring the disease as well as antibody response.Methods: 457 health care workers (HCW) were recruited to give blood samples for anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG testing between September to October 2020.Results: Of the 457 participants, IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 116 health care workers (25.4%). The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected maximally in HCWs involved in laboratory work. Around 4 % of health care workers were RT-PCR positive form whom IgG were detected in 15 individuals (71.4%) only.Conclusions: The study concludes a higher prevalence among health care workers involved with patient’s samples and laboratory.

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Role of BCG Vaccination in prevention of COVID-19 infection amongst the health care workers

10.36106/ijar/4311804 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 53-55

Author(s):

Renu Agrawal ◽

Sunil Kapur ◽

Shimona Kapur

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Protective Role ◽

Additional Dose ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Bcg Vaccination ◽

Care Workers ◽

A Prospective Study

Objective : To find out the role of additional dose of BCG vaccination in health care workers in prevention of COVID-19 infection Study design : A prospective study to find out the incidence of COVID 19 infection in healthcare worker exposed to COVID-19 indoor patients by doing RT- PCR testing at the end of 15 days of COVID duty. Setting : The study was conducted at Noida COVID Hospital, Noida District Hospital and Superspecialilty PG Teaching institute (SSPGTI) hospital, Noida Result : No Health care worker who received additional dose dose of BCG vaccination contracted COVID infection as confirmed by RT-PCR at the end of 15 days of indoor COVID duty (Nil out of 80 healthcare workers) whereas in controls i.e. those who were not vaccinated 28 out of 130 controls contracted COVID-19 infection. Conclusion : Additional dose of BCG vaccination after the age of 20 year in healthcare workers engaged in care of admitted COVID-19 patients has a protective role since the COVID status of the patients attending hospitals for any other ailments is not known routine BCG immunization of the medical staff is recommended

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Rapid environmental monitoring, capture, and destruction activities of SARS-CoV-2 during the Covid-19 health emergency

10.1101/2020.11.24.20237040 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Roberto Marchetti ◽

Martina Stella ◽

Debjyoti Talukdar ◽

Rosaria Erika Pileci

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

List Type ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Care Workers ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Hospital Wards

ABSTRACTObjectivesSARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a health emergency for occupational healthcare workers at COVID19 hospital wards in Italy. The objective of the study was to investigate if U-Earth AIRcel bioreactors were effective in monitoring and improving air quality via detection, capture, and destruction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reducing the risk of transmission among healthcare workers.MethodsU-Earth AIRcel bioreactors are a demonstrated effective biomonitoring system. We implemented a methodological approach wherein they were placed at various hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in Italy. The detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was achieved through rapid biomonitoring testing of the solutes from the AIRcel bioreactors via SARS-CoV-2 rapid test antigen and consecutive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis with the multiplex platform (XABT) and the Real-Time PCR Rotor-Gene.ResultsThe marked presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was found in multiple water samples via the detection of ORF1ab + N and/or E gene involved in gene expression and cellular signaling of the SARS-CoV virus. The AIRcel bioreactors were able to neutralize the virus effectively as traces of the viruses were no longer found in multiple solute samples after an overnight period.ConclusionsTransmission of COVID-19 via bio-aerosols, transmitted by infected patients, remains a viable threat for health workers. AIRcel bioreactors allow for rapid biomonitoring testing for early virus detection within the environment, reducing the risk of exponential contagion exposure and maintaining good air quality without endangering health workers. This same protocol can also be extended to public spaces as a bio-monitoring tool for hotpots early detection.Key messagesWhat is already known about this subject?Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus via bio-aerosols is a threat to health care workers. Only few studies have conducted investigations on how to limit the spread of the virus via air purifiers.Existing studies show a higher risk to health care workers serving at COVID-19 wards with a higher risk of viral transmission.What are the new findings?In this study, SARS-CoV-2 virus traces were captured by U-Earth air purifier bioreactor units placed at several hospitals in Italy.AIRcel bioreactors achieved early detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within the environment via rapid biomonitoring testing.AIRcel bioreactors have proved effective in biomonitoring via the detection, capture, and destruction of SARS-CoV-2 virus through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis with the multiplex platform (XABT) Multiple Real-Time PCR Rotor-Gene.How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?This study shows the need for effective surveillance and biomonitoring to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. AIRcel bioreactors, an effective occupational surveillance system, can reduce the transmission of the virus to health care workers serving COVID-19 infected patients at hospital wards.AIRcel bioreactors can also be used in public spaces and other settings, such as schools, to increase the speed of detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and improve control of the environment, thereby decreasing the exponential growth of the pandemic.

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SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Positivity and Antibody Prevalence among Asymptomatic Hospital-Based Health Care Workers

Journal of Clinical Virology ◽

10.1016/j.jcv.2021.104794 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104794

Author(s):

Christine C. Johnson ◽

Chad M. Coleman ◽

Alexandra R. Sitarik ◽

Joyce E. Leon ◽

Robert J. Tibbetts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Care Workers

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Adherence to personal protective equipment use among healthcare workers caring for confirmed COVID-19 and alleged non-COVID-19 patients

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control ◽

10.1186/s13756-020-00864-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Meike M. Neuwirth ◽

Frauke Mattner ◽

Robin Otchwemah

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

University Hospital ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Care Workers

AbstractAdherence observations of health care workers (HCW) revealed deficiencies in the use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) among HCW caring in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards during the first period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a university hospital in Germany. The adherence to wearing surgical face or FFP2-masks and disinfecting hands prior to donning and after doffing the PPE was significantly higher in COVID-19 wards However, there was no total adherence of 100% in COVID-19 wards.

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Clinical evaluation of mark induced dermatitis on health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Research in Dermatology ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20211701 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 413

Author(s):

Sushma I. ◽

Nivin Simon ◽

A. J. S. Pravin ◽

M. K. Padmaprasad ◽

M. Vijayabharathi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Clinical Evaluation ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Background: Mask induced dermatitis is common among health care workers now because of the obligatory use of facemask for a longer period during COVID-19, the clinical features vary. Very few studies could be conducted due to the COVID induced constraints. Studies regarding reactions to face masks in health workers published to date are limited and hence we decided to do this study. The objective of this study was to find out the clinical presentations of mask induced dermatitis due to long term use of facemask on healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 40 healthcare workers attend our OPD with face mask for 6 months. After getting informed written consent clinical evaluation was made by history and dermatologic examination.Results: Total 40 health care professionals between the age group of 21-50 years (17 females and 23 males) came to our OPD with complaints of itching and dryness with signs of erythema, scaling, papules for 6 months duration. Out of them, 15 (37.5%) patients had exacerbation of pre-existing dermatoses like atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, acne. 10 patients (25%) had irritant contact dermatitis 7 patients (17.5%) had sweat-induced dermatitis, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to sponge strip at the nasal bridge, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to vehement use of ear loop involving retroauricular region.Conclusions: This study showed that wearing face masks results in the development and aggravation of other skin diseases due to various causes. Itch can induce scratching and thus lead to inappropriate use of face masks, which could compromise their function.

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Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Hand Hygiene among Health Care Workers in Eradah Complex in Jeddah

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i59b34441 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 740-752

Author(s):

Emad Farouq Khodary ◽

Abdalrhman Saleh Altamimi ◽

Haifaa Hassan Alghamdi ◽

Maryam Mohammad Alshehri ◽

Saud Jabr Almehmadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Nosocomial Infection ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Age Group ◽

Addiction Medicine ◽

Female Workers ◽

Hand Wash ◽

Care Workers

Background: Most of the persons thought that nosocomial infection is spread from the hands of health care workers. The main aim of hand washing is to be aware for all to know that this is a myth that nosocomial infection is spread from hand. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Eradah Complex in Jeddah. The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) has accredited Eradah Complex for Mental Health- Jeddah, as a training center for addiction medicine fellowship program. An observation is done by providing a Google form to the health care workers of the Eradah complex in Jeddah. This is to observe the views of the health care workers on the issue of practices of hand hygiene. Results: There were a total of 178 study participants (111 male and 67 participants). Age groups demonstrate that 34.27% of participants belong to the age group of 36 to 45 years. 32.02% of the participants belong to the age group of 26 to 35 years of age group. Moreover, the graph has shown that 14.04% of participants belong to the age group of 18 to 25 years. It has been seen that the number of female workers bearing the position of Nurse is less than those of males. It is important to have more respondents being nurses as the nurses usually communicate directly with the patients. There is a doctor too, but they are less interaction directly with the patient. Therefore, overall graph shows that only 6.18% participants prefer other professions whereas among other percentages, 7.30% participants are pharmacists, 25.28% people are nurses, and 18.54% participants are doctors. Conclusion: The present study has discussed that maintenance of hand hygiene in the hospitals and clinics are of sheer importance. The research methodology that is incorporated in the present study has been helpful for the researchers in understanding the perception of the healthcare workers what they think about the aspect of washing hands primarily after the pandemic. Therefore, it has been seen that most of the participative healthcare workers primarily males do not find the aspect hand hygiene much important and so they rarely use soap for hand wash. On the contrary, the female workers understand the importance of hand wash more and thus, they support the thought of hand hygiene at the workplace.

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Mental Disorders Among Health Care Workers at the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya; Findings of an Online Descriptive Survey

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.665611 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Edith Kamaru Kwobah ◽

Ann Mwangi ◽

Kirtika Patel ◽

Thomas Mwogi ◽

Robert Kiptoo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Early Phase ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Care Workers

Background: Healthcare workers responding to the Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) are at risk of mental illness. Data is scanty on the burden of mental disorders among Kenyan healthcare workers responding to the pandemic that can inform mental health and psychosocial support. The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency and associated factors of worry, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and poor quality of sleep among Kenyan health care workers at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted an online survey among 1,259 health care workers in Kenya. A researcher developed social demographic questionnaire and several standardized tools were used for data collection. Standardized tools were programmed into Redcap, (Research Electronic Data Capture) and data analysis was performed using R Core Team. In all analysis a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: 66% of the participants reported experiencing worry related to COVID-19. 32.1% had depression, 36% had generalized anxiety, 24.2% had insomnia and 64.7% scored positively for probable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Depression was higher among females compared to men (36.5 vs. 26.9%, p = 0.003), workers <35 years old compared to older ones (38.1 vs. 26.4%, p < 0.001), and those who were not married compared to those who were married (40.6 vs. 27.6%, p < 0.001). Generalized anxiety was commoner among workers aged <35 years (43.5 vs. 29.3%, p < 0.001), females (41.7 vs. 29.2%, p < 0.001), those who mere not married compared to the married (45.2 vs. 31.2%, p < 0.001) and those with <10 years working experience (41.6 to 20.5%, p < 0.001). Younger health care professional had a higher proportion of insomnia compared to the older ones (30.3 vs. 18.6%, p < 0.001). Insomnia was higher among those with <10 years' experience compared to those with more than 20 years' experience(27.3 vs. 17.6%, p = 0.043)Conclusion: Many Kenyan healthcare workers in the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic suffered from various common mental disorders with young, female professionals who are not married bearing the bigger burden. This data is useful in informing interventions to promote mental and psychosocial wellbeing among Kenyan healthcare workers responding to the pandemic.

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Healthcare Workers’ Mobile Phones as a Possible Vehicle of Nosocomial Pathogens and the Role of Different Disinfectants in their Decontamination

10.51429/ejmm30304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 29-36

Author(s):

Rana E. Elgabeery ◽

Radwa A. Eissa ◽

Sohair M. Soliman ◽

Naglaa F. Ghoname

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Colony Count ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Care Workers ◽

Before And After

Background: As Mobile Phones (MPs) aren’t cleaned routinely and have been touched during patient’s examination, they may become contaminated with hospital pathogens. Objectives: Screen MPs of Health care workers (HCWs) for pathogens and verify the effect of disinfectants in their decontamination. Methods: A questionnaire was submitted by 160 HCWs in Tanta University Hospitals. Samples were taken from their MPs and subjected to pour plate counting before and after disinfection. Standard identification and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates were done. Results: Colony count was greater in MPs used while caring for patients or inside restroom, and was less in regularly cleaned MPs. All tested disinfectants reduced the colony count significantly. Pathogens were isolated from 84.38% of samples and 36.25% of them were Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs). Conclusion: Using MPs at critical care areas and restroom may contribute to their contamination with pathogens. Regular disinfection of MPs can reduce this contamination.

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SARS-CoV-2–Specific Neutralizing Antibody Responses in Norwegian Health Care Workers After the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/jiaa737 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mai-Chi Trieu ◽

Amit Bansal ◽

Anders Madsen ◽

Fan Zhou ◽

Marianne Sævik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Patient Exposure ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries experienced infection in health care workers (HCW) due to overburdened health care systems. Whether infected HCW acquire protective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unclear. Methods In a Norwegian prospective cohort study, we enrolled 607 HCW before and after the first COVID-19 wave. Exposure history, COVID-19–like symptoms, and serum samples were collected. SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies were characterized by spike-protein IgG/IgM/IgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent and live-virus neutralization assays. Results Spike-specific IgG/IgM/IgA antibodies increased after the first wave in HCW with, but not in HCW without, COVID-19 patient exposure. Thirty-two HCW (5.3%) had spike-specific antibodies (11 seroconverted with ≥4-fold increase, 21 were seropositive at baseline). Neutralizing antibodies were found in 11 HCW that seroconverted, of whom 4 (36.4%) were asymptomatic. Ninety-seven HCW were tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during follow-up; 8 were positive (7 seroconverted, 1 had undetectable antibodies). Conclusions We found increases in SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in infected HCW, especially after COVID-19 patient exposure. Our data show a low number of SARS-CoV-2–seropositive HCW in a low-prevalence setting; however, the proportion of seropositivity was higher than RT-PCR positivity, highlighting the importance of antibody testing.

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