Prevalence of SARS-Cov-2 antibodies and living conditions: the French national random population-based EPICOV cohort

Abstract Background We aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in France and to identify the populations most exposed during the first epidemic wave. Methods Random selection of individuals aged 15 years or over, from the national tax register (96% coverage). Socio-economic data, migration history, and living conditions were collected via self-computer-assisted-web or computer-assisted-telephone interviews. Home self-sampling was performed for a random subsample, to detect IgG antibodies against spike protein (Euroimmun), and neutralizing antibodies with in-house assays, in dried blood spots (DBS). Results The questionnaire was completed by 134,391 participants from May 2nd to June 2st, 2020, including 17,441 eligible for DBS 12,114 of whom were tested. ELISA-S seroprevalence was 4.5% [95% CI 3.9–5.0] overall, reaching up to 10% in the two most affected areas. High-density residences, larger household size, having reported a suspected COVID-19 case in the household, working in healthcare, being of intermediate age and non-daily tobacco smoking were independently associated with seropositivity, whereas living with children or adolescents did not remain associated after adjustment for household size. Adjustment for both residential density and household size accounted for much of the higher seroprevalence in immigrants born outside Europe, twice that in French natives in univariate analysis. Conclusion The EPICOV cohort is one of the largest national representative population-based seroprevalence surveys for COVID-19. It shows the major role of contextual living conditions in the initial spread of COVID-19 in France, during which the availability of masks and virological tests was limited.

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Trends in social exposure to SARS–Cov–2 in France. Evidence from the national socio-epidemiological cohort – EPICOV

10.1101/2021.10.25.21265456 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Josiane WARSZAWSKI ◽

Laurence Meyer ◽

Jeanna-Eve Franck ◽

Delphine Rahib ◽

Nathalie Lydie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Second Generation ◽

Social Contact ◽

Population Based ◽

Data Migration ◽

Social Patterns ◽

Migration History ◽

Majority Population ◽

Individual Variables ◽

National Tax ◽

Social Exposure

Background: We aimed to study whether social patterns of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection changed in France throughout the year 2020, in light to the easing of social contact restrictions. Methods: A population-based cohort of individuals aged 15 years or over was randomly selected from the national tax register to collect socio-economic data, migration history, and living conditions in May and November 2020. Home self-sampling on dried blood was proposed to a 10% random subsample in May and to all in November. A positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA IgG result against the virus spike protein (ELISA-S) was the primary outcome. The design, including sampling and post-stratification weights, was taken into account in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Of the 134,391 participants in May, 107,759 completed the second questionnaire in November, and respectively 12,114 and 63,524 were tested. The national ELISA-S seroprevalence was 4.5% [95%CI: 4.0%-5.1%] in May and 6.2% [5.9%-6.6%] in November. It increased markedly in 18-24-year-old population from 4.8% to 10.0%, and among second-generation immigrants from outside Europe from 5.9% to 14.4%. This group remained strongly associated with seropositivity in November, after controlling for any contextual or individual variables, with an adjusted OR of 2.1 [1.7-2.7], compared to the majority population. In both periods, seroprevalence remained higher in healthcare professions than in other occupations. Conclusion: The risk of Covid-19 infection increased among young people and second-generation migrants between the first and second epidemic waves, in a context of less strict social restrictions, which seems to have reinforced territorialized socialization among peers.

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A national mixed-mode seroprevalence random population-based cohort on SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in France: the socio-epidemiological EpiCov study

10.1101/2021.02.24.21252316 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Josiane WARSZAWSKI ◽

Nathalie BAJOS ◽

Muriel BARLET ◽

Xavier de LAMBALLERIE ◽

Delphine RAHIB ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survey Methodology ◽

Poverty Line ◽

Population Based ◽

Living Conditions ◽

The Other ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Population Census ◽

Poverty Level ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Impact

Background: the EpiCov study, initiated at the end of the first national lockdown in France, aimed to provide national and regional estimates of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to analyze relations between living conditions and the dynamics of the epidemic. We present and discuss here the survey methodology, and describe the first-round fieldwork. Method: 371,000 individuals aged 15 years or more were randomly selected from the national tax register, stratified by departments, including three overseas departments, and by poverty level with over-representation of people living below the poverty line. Health, socio-economics, migration history, and living conditions were collected through self-computed-assisted web interviews or via computer-assisted telephone interviews. The first-round survey was conducted in May. A random subsample was eligible to receive material for home blood self-sample on dried blood spot (DBS), in order to detect IgG antibodies against the spike protein (Euroimmun ELISA-S), and neutralizing antibodies for non-negative ELISA-S. For the second-round conducted in November, all respondents were eligible for the antibodies detection from home DBS sample, as well as the other household members aged 6 years or more for 20% of them. Participation and adjustment for nonresponse: 134,391 respondents completed the first-round questionnaire from May 2 to June 1, 2020, including 16,970 (12.6%) respondents under the poverty line. Multimodal web/tel interviews was randomly assigned to 20% of the sample. The other were assigned to exclusive CAWI. Overall 17,441 respondents were eligible for home blood sample, among them 12,114 returned the DBS (interquartile date: May 25- June 5). The response probability was first estimated from logit models adjusted on a wide range of auxiliary demographic and socio-economic variables available from the sampling frame, and final weights calibrated to the margins of the population census permitted to correct for a large part of the non-response bias. Conclusion: The Epicov study is one of the largest national random population-based seroprevalence cohort, with both an epidemiological and sociological approaches to evaluate the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, and the impact on health and living conditions. One of the major interests of this study is the broad coverage of the socio-economic and territorial diversity of the population.

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Influence of urbanity on perception of mental illness stigma: a population based study in urban and rural Hanoi, Vietnam

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764016670430 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 62 (8) ◽

pp. 685-695 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Thi Minh Tam Ta ◽

Aron Zieger ◽

Georg Schomerus ◽

Tien Duc Cao ◽

Michael Dettling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Marital Status ◽

Rural Population ◽

Public Perception ◽

Population Based ◽

Household Size ◽

Living Conditions ◽

Mental Illness Stigma ◽

Perceived Stigma ◽

People With Mental Illness

Background and Aims: To examine, for the first time in Vietnam, whether urbanity of respondents among other socio-demographic factors affects the public perception of stigma attached to persons with mental illness in Hanoi. Methods: A general population-based survey was carried out in 2013 in the greater Hanoi area. The perception of stigma attached to people with mental illness was elicited using Link’s perceived discrimination and devaluation scale (PDDS) carried out in Vietnamese language. The survey sample ( n = 806) was stratified for gender, urban/rural location, age, household size and marital status, in accordance with the 2013 Vietnamese census. Results: Comparing the total score of the PDDS and its single items, we found less perceived stigma and discrimination among the rural population of Hanoi and in respondents who reported religious attainment to either Buddhism or Christianity. Logistic regression analyses found no significant influences of gender, age, household size or marital status regarding the perceived stigma toward persons with mental illness. Conclusion: Less negative perception of stigma attached to persons with mental illness that was observed among the rural population in the Hanoi area may be interpreted in the light of possibly more demanding living conditions in modern urban Vietnam with less opportunities for mentally ill patients and points toward a dynamic interaction with rapidly changing living conditions in Asian megacities.

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Integrating genetics with newborn metabolomics in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Metabolomics ◽

10.1007/s11306-020-01763-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

João Fadista ◽

Line Skotte ◽

Julie Courraud ◽

Frank Geller ◽

Sanne Gørtz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pyloric Stenosis ◽

Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis ◽

Dried Blood Spots ◽

Population Based ◽

Case Control ◽

Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis ◽

Sphincter Muscle ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Matched Case ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Introduction Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is caused by hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter muscle. Objectives Since previous reports have implicated lipid metabolism, we aimed to (1) investigate associations between IHPS and a wide array of lipid-related metabolites in newborns, and (2) address whether detected differences in metabolite levels were likely to be driven by genetic differences between IHPS cases and controls or by differences in early life feeding patterns. Methods We used population-based random selection of IHPS cases and controls born in Denmark between 1997 and 2014. We randomly took dried blood spots of newborns from 267 pairs of IHPS cases and controls matched by sex and day of birth. We used a mixed-effects linear regression model to evaluate associations between 148 metabolites and IHPS in a matched case–control design. Results The phosphatidylcholine PC(38:4) showed significantly lower levels in IHPS cases (P = 4.68 × 10−8) as did six other correlated metabolites (four phosphatidylcholines, acylcarnitine AC(2:0), and histidine). Associations were driven by 98 case–control pairs born before 2009, when median age at sampling was 6 days. No association was seen in 169 pairs born in 2009 or later, when median age at sampling was 2 days. More IHPS cases than controls had a diagnosis for neonatal difficulty in feeding at breast (P = 6.15 × 10−3). Genetic variants known to be associated with PC(38:4) levels did not associate with IHPS. Conclusions We detected lower levels of certain metabolites in IHPS, possibly reflecting different feeding patterns in the first days of life.

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Comparison between Enzyme Immunoassays Performed on Samples of Dried Blood and Serum for Toxoplasmosis Prenatal Screening: Population-based Study

Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia / RBGO Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1730285 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (05) ◽

pp. 351-356

Author(s):

Bárbara Araújo Marques ◽

Ericka Vianna Machado Carellos ◽

Vânia Maria Novato Silva ◽

Fernando Henrique Pereira ◽

Maria Regina Lage Guerra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Prenatal Screening ◽

Dried Blood Spots ◽

Population Based ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Immunoglobulin M ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Reference Test ◽

Screening Programs ◽

Blood Spots

Abstract Objective Most prenatal screening programs for toxoplasmosis use immunoassays in serum samples of pregnant women. Few studies assess the accuracy of screening tests in dried blood spots, which are of easy collection, storage, and transportation. The goals of the present study are to determine the performance and evaluate the agreement between an immunoassay of dried blood spots and a reference test in the serum of pregnant women from a population-based prenatal screening program for toxoplasmosis in Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed to compare the immunoassays Imunoscreen Toxoplasmose IgM and Imunoscreen Toxoplasmose IgG (Mbiolog Diagnósticos, Ltda., Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil)in dried blood spots with the enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA, BioMérieux S.A., Lyon, France) reference standard in the serum of pregnant women from Minas Gerais Congenital Toxoplasmosis Control Program. Results The dried blood spot test was able to discriminate positive and negative results of pregnant women when compared with the reference test, with an accuracy of 98.2% for immunoglobulin G (IgG), and of 95.8% for immunoglobulin M (IgM). Conclusion Dried blood samples are easy to collect, store, and transport, and they have a good performance, making this a promising method for prenatal toxoplasmosis screening programs in countries with continental dimensions, limited resources, and a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis, as is the case of Brazil.

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Seroprevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies from a population-based study in Bonn, Germany

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22351-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

N. Ahmad Aziz ◽

Victor M. Corman ◽

Antje K. C. Echterhoff ◽

Marcel A. Müller ◽

Anja Richter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Response Rate ◽

Neutralization Test ◽

Population Based ◽

Immunofluorescence Assay ◽

Test Results ◽

Community Based ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Temporal Course ◽

Confirmatory Tests

AbstractTo estimate the seroprevalence and temporal course of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, we embedded a multi-tiered seroprevalence survey within an ongoing community-based cohort study in Bonn, Germany. We first assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G levels with an immunoassay, followed by confirmatory testing of borderline and positive test results with a recombinant spike-based immunofluorescence assay and a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Those with a borderline or positive immunoassay result were retested after 4 to 5 months. At baseline, 4771 persons participated (88% response rate). Between April 24th and June 30th, 2020, seroprevalence was 0.97% (95% CI: 0.72−1.30) by immunoassay and 0.36% (95% CI: 0.21−0.61) when considering only those with two additional positive confirmatory tests. Importantly, about 20% of PRNT+ individuals lost their neutralizing antibodies within five months. Here, we show that neutralizing antibodies are detectable in only one third of those with a positive immunoassay result, and wane relatively quickly.

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A population-based exposure assessment of risk factors associated with gastrointestinal pathogens: a Campylobacter study

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268812001641 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 141 (5) ◽

pp. 976-986 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

L. A. MacRITCHIE ◽

C. J. HUNTER ◽

N. J. C. STRACHAN

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Population Density ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Age Groups ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Environmental Water ◽

Population Based ◽

Elevated Exposure

SUMMARYA questionnaire survey was undertaken to determine the exposure of a study population to campylobacteriosis source risk factors (environmental, water, food) and results were stratified by age, population density and deprivation. Data were gathered using an exposure assessment carried out by telephone in the Grampian region of Scotland. Univariate analysis showed that children aged 5–14 years, living in low population density (0–44·4 persons/km2) and affluent areas had elevated exposure to environmental and water risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age groups and lower population density were significant indicators for most environmental risk factors. The results compared to reported disease incidence in Grampian showed that greater exposure to risk factors does not necessarily coincide with greater disease incidence for age groups, particularly for the 0–4 years age group. Further research is required to explain the relationship between exposure and disease incidence.

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Assessing Quality and Functionality of DNA from Fresh and Archival Dried Blood Spots and Recommendations for Quality Control Guidelines

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2007.087510 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 1401-1407 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Malin Ida Linnea Sjöholm ◽

Joakim Dillner ◽

Joyce Carlson

Keyword(s):

Dna Extraction ◽

Multiple Displacement Amplification ◽

Dried Blood Spots ◽

Extraction Methods ◽

Population Based ◽

Alkaline Lysis ◽

Screening Programs ◽

Blood Spots ◽

Dna Yield ◽

Chelex 100

Abstract Background: Dried blood spots (DBS) are a convenient and inexpensive method for biobanking. Although many countries have established population-based DBS biobanks from neonatal screening programs, the quality and usefulness of DNA from DBS have not been extensively assessed. Methods: We compared 4 common DNA extraction methods (Qiagen, EZNA, Chelex 100, and alkaline lysis) in a pilot study using fresh DBS with known lymphocyte count. We assessed suitability for multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and subsequent single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. We selected the EZNA method for DNA extraction from archival samples up to 27 years old, stored at room temperature or −20 °C, and SNP analyses were performed after MDA. Results: Extraction using alkaline lysis failed in most tests, and Chelex 100 was unsuccessful in real-time PCR, whereas the EZNA and Qiagen methods were successful by all evaluated quality indices. DNA extraction by EZNA, MDA, and SNP analyses were successful for the archival samples stored at −20 °C. Conclusion: Routine protocols for evaluation of the quality and functional integrity of DNA based on DNA yield, DNA size, and quantification of amplifiable DNA allow use of sufficient template for MDA and successful SNP analyses from both primary DBS extract and MDA product. A single 3-mm disc can yield sufficient DNA for several thousand SNP analyses. DNA from DBS is thus suitable for genetic epidemiology studies.

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Using population-based routinely collected data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme to investigate factors associated with discharge to care home after rehabilitation

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215517748715 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 1108-1118 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dipankar Dutta ◽

Daniel Thornton ◽

Emily Bowen

Keyword(s):

Care Home ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Population Based ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

National Audit ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Routinely Collected Data ◽

Early Supported Discharge ◽

Research Findings ◽

First Time

Objectives: We investigated factors associated with Care Home (CH) discharge following stroke using routinely collected data in unselected patients and assessed the relevance of previous research findings to such patients seen in routine clinical practice. Design: Retrospective analysis of data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme using univariate analysis and logistic regression. Setting: A large acute and rehabilitation UK stroke unit with access to early supported discharge. Subjects: All patients with stroke treated from 1 January 2014 to 1 January 2017. Main measures: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Of 2584 patients (median age 78 years, interquartile range (IQR) 69–86; 50.6% male; 86.7% infarcts; median admission NIHSS 4, IQR 2–9), 401 (15.5%) died in hospital and 203 patients (7.9%) were permanently discharged to CH for the first time. Most had pre-discharge mRS scores of 4/5. Factors (odds ratios; 95% confidence intervals) associated with CH discharge included age (1.07; 1.05–1.10), incontinence (11.5; 7.13–19.25), dysphagia (2.13; 1.39–3.29), severe weakness (1.93; 1.28–2.92), pneumonia (1.68; 1.13–2.50), urinary tract infection (UTI) (1.70; 1.04–2.75) and depression (1.65; 1.00–2.72). In a subgroup of all patients with a pre-discharge mRS of 4/5, age (1.04; 1.02–1.06), incontinence (4.87; 2.39–11.02), UTI (2.0; 1.09–3.71) and pneumonia (1.59; 1.02–2.50) were the only factors associated with CH discharge. Conclusion: Potentially modifiable variables like incontinence, UTI and pneumonia were associated with CH discharge, particularly in the severely disabled.

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Abstract 17: Prehospital Deterioration During Transport by Emergency Medical Services for Stroke Patients: A Population-Based Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Sabreena J Gillow ◽

Heidi Sucharew ◽

Kathleen Alwell ◽

Charles J Moonmaw ◽

Daniel Woo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Onset Time ◽

Population Based ◽

Neurological Deterioration ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Subtype ◽

Hospital Arrival ◽

Neurologic Deterioration

Introduction: Stroke patients can experience neurological change in the prehospital setting. We sought to identify factors associated with prehospital neurologic deterioration. Methods: Among the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region (pop. ~1.3 million), we screened all 15 local hospitals’ admissions from 2010 for acute stroke, and included patients with age ≥20 and complete EMS records. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at hospital arrival was compared with GCS evaluated by EMS, with decrease ≥2 points considered neurologic deterioration. Data obtained included age, sex, race, medical history, antiplatelet or anticoagulant use, stroke subtype [ischemic (IS), ICH, or SAH] and IS subtype (e.g., small vessel, large vessel, cardioembolic), seizure at onset, time from symptom onset to EMS arrival, time from EMS to hospital arrival, blood pressure and serum glucose on EMS arrival, and EMS level of training. Univariate analysis was completed using Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous measures and chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical measures. Multivariate analysis was completed on variables with p ≤ 0.20 in the univariate analysis. Results: Of 2708 total stroke patients, 1097 (870 IS, 176 ICH, 51 SAH) had EMS records (median [IQR] age 74 [61, 83] years; 56% female; 21% black). Onset to EMS arrival was ≤4.5 hours for 508 cases (46%), and median time from EMS to hospital arrival was 26 minutes. Neurological deterioration occurred in 129 cases (12%), including 9.1% of IS and 22% of ICH/SAH. In multivariate analysis, black race, atrial fibrillation, ICH or SAH subtype, and ALS transport were associated with neurological deterioration. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation may predict prehospital deterioration in stroke, and preferential transport of patients with acute worsening to centers capable of managing hemorrhagic stroke may be justifiable. Further studies are needed to identify why race is associated with deterioration and potential areas of intervention.

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