scholarly journals Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from on-field player contacts in amateur, youth and professional football (soccer)

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2021-104441
Author(s):  
Sebastian Schreiber ◽  
Oliver Faude ◽  
Barbara Gärtner ◽  
Tim Meyer ◽  
Florian Egger
Keyword(s):  
Video Analysis ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Symptom Monitoring ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
And Training

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk of transmission among potentially infectious SARS-CoV-2-positive football players while participating in training or matches at amateur, youth and professional levels.MethodsBetween August 2020 and March 2021, football players who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and participated in matches or training during the period of potential contagiousness were identified through media search (professional level) and a nationwide registry in Germany (amateur and youth level) to determine symptoms, source of infection and hygiene measures adopted. The definition of potentially infectious players was based on the time of a positive PCR testing and symptom onset. Transmission-relevant contacts on the pitch were evaluated through doubly reviewed video analysis.ResultsOut of 1247 identified football matches and training sessions (1071 amateur and youth level, 176 professional level), 104 cases (38 training sessions, 66 matches) with 165 potentially infectious players were detected. Follow-up PCR testing at the professional level (44 cases) revealed no transmission. At the amateur and youth level, the combination of partial PCR testing (31 of 60 cases) and symptom monitoring within 14 days post-exposure (46 of 60 cases) identified 2 of 60 matches in which follow-up infections occurred that were attributed to non-football activities. This is consistent with the video analysis of 21 matches demonstrating frontal contacts were <1 per player-hour (88%, 30 of 34 players), each lasting no longer than 3 s.ConclusionOn-field transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 in football is very low. Sources of infections in football players are most likely not related to activities on the pitch.

scholarly journals Successful return to professional men’s football (soccer) competition after the COVID-19 shutdown: a cohort study in the German Bundesliga

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Meyer ◽  
Dietrich Mack ◽  
Katrin Donde ◽  
Oliver Harzer ◽  
Werner Krutsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Symptom Monitoring ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Football Training ◽  
Antibody Tests ◽  
Positive Results

ObjectivesTo evaluate the restart of the German Bundesliga (football (soccer)) during the COVID-19 pandemic from a medical perspective.MethodsParticipants were male professional football players from the two highest German leagues and the officials working closely with them. Our report covers nine match days spread over 9 weeks (May to July 2020). Daily symptom monitoring, PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA twice weekly, and antibody tests (on two occasions—early during the phase in May 2020 and in the week of the last match) were conducted. Target variables were: (1) onset of typical COVID-19 symptoms, (2) positive PCR results, and (3) IgG seroconversion against SARS-CoV-2. All detected seroconversions were controlled by neutralisation tests.FindingsSuspicious symptoms were reported for one player; an immediate additional PCR test as well as all subsequent diagnostic and antibody tests proved negative for coronavirus. Of 1702 regularly tested individuals (1079 players, 623 officials members), 8 players and 4 officials tested positive during one of the first rounds of PCR testing prior to the onset of team training, 2 players during the third round. No further positive results occurred during the remainder of the season. 694 players and 291 officials provided two serum samples for antibody testing. Nine players converted from negative/borderline to positive (without symptoms); two players who initially tested positive tested negative at the end of the season. 22 players remained seropositive throughout the season. None of the seroconversions was confirmed in the neutralisation test.ConclusionProfessional football training and matches can be carried out safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires strict hygiene measures including regular PCR testing.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in a Cohort of Asymptomatic, RT-PCR Negative Croatian First League Football Players

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Vince ◽  
Renata Zadro ◽  
Zvonimir Šostar ◽  
Sunčanica Ljubin Sternak ◽  
Jasmina Vraneš ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Antibody Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Paired Serum ◽  
Serology Testing

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic the Croatian Football Federation has launched a new model of pre-season systematic examination of football players, emphasizing the diagnosis of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and preventing further spread among the players.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies in the cohort of asymptomatic and SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative professional football players in the Croatian First Football League by using a commercial ELISA antibody assay in the paired serum samples taken 2 months apart.MethodsSerology testing was performed from May till July 2020 in a cohort of 305 asymptomatic football players and club staff members. RT-PCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs was performed on three occasions, and Euroimmun ELISA for detection of IgA and IgG (S1 and NCP) antibodies was tested in paired serum samples in May and July.ResultsAll RT-PCR results were negative. Sixty-one (20%) participants were reactive in one or two classes of antibodies at baseline and/or follow-up serology testing. IgA reactivity was found in 41 (13.4% [95% CI=10.7-17.7]) baseline sera and 42 (13.8% [95% CI=10.3-18.9]) follow-up sera. IgG to S1 protein was found in 6 (2% [95% CI=0.9-4.2]) participants at baseline and 1 (0.33% [95% CI=0.0006-1.83]) at follow-up. IgG to NCP was found in 2 (0.7% [95% CI=0.2-2.4]) participants at baseline and 8 (2.6% (95% CI=1.3-5.1]) participants at follow-up. Noticeable dynamics in the paired sera was observed in 18 (5.9%) participants (excluding borderline IgA results) or 32 (10.5%) (including IgA borderline results).ConclusionVarious patterns of IgA and IgG reactivity were found in the paired serum samples. Based on serology dynamics we estimate that in 5.9%-10.5% of PCR negative football players asymptomatic exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pandemics could not be excluded.

Cardiovascular incidents in male professional football players with negative preparticipation cardiac screening results: an 8-year follow-up

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (20) ◽  
pp. 1279-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde Moseby Berge ◽  
Thor Einar Andersen ◽  
Roald Bahr
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Cardiac Screening ◽  
Inappropriate Treatment ◽  
Ischaemic Attack ◽  
Screening Result

BackgroundPreparticipation cardiac screening of athletes aims to detect cardiovascular disease at an early stage to prevent sudden cardiac arrests and deaths. Few studies have described the cardiovascular outcomes in athletes classified as negative on screening.ObjectiveTo identify cardiovascular incidents in a cohort of male professional football players who were cleared to play after a negative screening result.MethodsThis is a retrospective 8-year follow-up study of 595 professional male football players in Norway who underwent preparticipation cardiac screening by experienced cardiologists, including electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography, in 2008. We performed a media search to identify sudden cardiovascular incidents between January 2008 and February 2016. Incidents were cross-checked with medical records.ResultsSix of the 595 players (1%), all classified as negative on cardiac screening, experienced severe cardiovascular incidents during follow-up. Retrospective review revealed abnormal ECG findings in one case, not recognised at the time of screening. Three players suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (all resuscitated successfully), one a myocardial infarction, one a transient ischaemic attack and one atrial flutter. Three of the players ignored chest pain, paresis, dyspnoea or near-syncope, two completed a match with symptoms before seeking medical assistance, one player’s symptoms were misinterpreted and received inappropriate treatment initially, and two players were discharged from hospital without proper follow-up, despite having serious cardiovascular symptoms.ConclusionsA comprehensive preparticipation cardiac screening did not identify a subset of 6 of 595 players who experienced subsequent cardiovascular incidents as being at risk. It is important to remind athletes that a normal cardiac screening exam does not protect against all cardiac diseases. Timely reporting of symptoms is essential.

Influence of Definition and Data Collection on the Incidence of Injuries in Football

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Junge ◽  
Jiri Dvorak
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Retrospective Questionnaire ◽  
Collection Methods ◽  
Observation Period

Studies on the incidence of football injuries vary in the definition of injury, study design, methods of data collection, and observation periods. The aim of this study was to review the different methodologies applied in the evaluation of football injuries as well as to analyze the influence of data collection methods on the incidence of football injuries. In this study, injury data obtained weekly by a physician during 1 year of follow-up in 264 football players were compared with the results of retrospective questionnaires completed by the players at the end of the observation period. In the retrospective questionnaire, the incidence of injuries as well as of complaints was significantly lower than that found in the weekly follow-up examinations. Approximately every third moderate injury and less than 10% of the mild injuries were remembered retrospectively. The shorter the period of symptoms and the longer ago the injury occurred, the more frequently it was forgotten. However, even severe injuries, such as fractures, were not reported in the retrospective investigation. Based on the review of the literature and the data presented, recommendations in relation to study design, the definition of injury, and the calculation of incidence are proposed.

Comparison of Fluorine(18)-fluorodeoxyglucose and Gallium(68)-citrate PET/CT in patients with tuberculosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (05) ◽  
pp. 371-378
Author(s):  
Alfred O. Ankrah ◽  
Ismaheel O. Lawal ◽  
Tebatso M.G. Boshomane ◽  
Hans C. Klein ◽  
Thomas Ebenhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tracer Uptake ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
The Mean ◽  
18F Fdg ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Gallium 68 ◽  
Attending Physician ◽  
Pet Scans ◽  
The Brain

Abstract 18F-FDG and 68Ga-citrate PET/CT have both been shown to be useful in the management of tuberculosis (TB). We compared the abnormal PET findings of 18F-FDG- and 68Ga-citrate-PET/CT in patients with TB. Methods Patients with TB on anti-TB therapy were included. Patients had a set of PET scans consisting of both 18F-FDG and 68Ga-citrate. Abnormal lesions were identified, and the two sets of scans were compared. The scan findings were correlated to the clinical data as provided by the attending physician. Results 46 PET/CT scans were performed in 18 patients, 11 (61 %) were female, and the mean age was 35.7 ± 13.5 years. Five patients also had both studies for follow-up reasons during the use of anti-TB therapy. Thirteen patients were co-infected with HIV. 18F-FDG detected more lesions than 68Ga-citrate (261 vs. 166, p < 0.0001). 68Ga-citrate showed a better definition of intracerebral lesions due to the absence of tracer uptake in the brain. The mean SUVmax was higher for 18F-FDG compared to 68Ga-citrate (5.73 vs. 3.01, p < 0.0001). We found a significant correlation between the SUVmax of lesions that were determined by both tracers (r = 0.4968, p < 0.0001). Conclusion Preliminary data shows 18F-FDG-PET detects more abnormal lesions in TB compared to 68Ga-citrate. However, 68Ga-citrate has better lesion definition in the brain and is therefore especially useful when intracranial TB is suspected.

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