scholarly journals Association between household exposure and cycle threshold in COVID-19 infected health care workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai Chien ◽  
Sandra Domeracki ◽  
Sandeep Guntur ◽  
Kristopher Taylor ◽  
Chuanyi M. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Bivariate Model ◽  
Cycle Threshold ◽  
Ct Value ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Ct Data ◽  
Multivariable Modelling

Abstract Objective Household SARS-COV-2 contact constitutes a high-risk exposure for health care workers (HCWs). Cycle threshold (Ct) of reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction testing provides an estimate of COVID-19 viral load, which can inform clinical and workplace management. We assessed whether Ct values differed between HCWs with COVID-19 with and without household exposure. Methods We analyzed HCW COVID-19 cases whose Ct data could be compared. We defined low Ct at a cut-point approximating a viral load of 4.6 × 106 copies per ml. Logistic regression tested the association of household exposure and symptoms at diagnosis with a low Ct value. Results Of 77 HCWs with COVID-19, 20 were household exposures cases and 34 were symptomatic at testing (7 were both household-exposed and symptomatic at testing). Among household exposures, 9 of 20 (45%) manifested lower Ct values compared to 14 of 57 (25%) for all others. In a bivariate model, household exposure was not statistically associated with lower Ct (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.20; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.97–1.51). In multivariable modelling both household exposure (OR] 1.3; 95% CI 1.03–1.6) and symptoms at diagnosis (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.15–1.7) were associated with a low Ct value. Discussion Household exposure in HCWs with newly diagnosed COVID-19 was associated with lower Ct values, consistent with a higher viral load, supporting the hypothesis that contracting COVID-19 in that manner leads to a greater viral inoculum.

scholarly journals Incidence of COVID-19 Infection in Hospital Workers From March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 Routinely Tested, Before and After Vaccination With BNT162B2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Larese Filon ◽  
Francesca Rui ◽  
Federico Ronchese ◽  
Paola Michieli ◽  
Corrado Negro
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hospital Workers ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Incident Rate ◽  
Rate Ratios ◽  
Monthly Incidence

Abstract Objective To evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 infection in health care workers from the start of COVID-19 pandemic in NE of Italy, to the vaccination with BNT162b2. Materials and methods This was a retrospective cohort study. Health care workers were routinely tested for SARS-CoV-2 infections using real-time polymerase chain reaction tests in nasopharyngeal swabs. Logistic regression was used to calculate incident rate ratios (IRRs) of factors associated to COVID-19. Results A total of 4251 workers were followed-up and an annual incidence of COVID-19 of 13.6% was found. In March 2021 the incidence of infection was 4.88 and 103.55 cases for 100.000 person-days in vaccinated and non-vaccinated workers, respectively, with an adjusted IRRs of 0.05 (95% CI 0.02–0.08). Conclusions Our study evaluated the monthly incidence in health care workers in Trieste hospitals before and after the vaccination finding the protective effect of BNT162B2 vaccine in 95% of health care workers routinely tested.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Among Health Care Workers in Mumbai, India

2020 ◽  
pp. 101053952097730
Author(s):  
Nishant Kumar ◽  
Shibal Bhartiya ◽  
Shashank Desai ◽  
Amit Mutha ◽  
Amit Beldar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Seropositivity Rate ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Automated Immunoassay ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals

Aim To ascertain the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers in tertiary care hospitals in Mumbai, India. Methods Health care workers (801) from designated COVID-19 hospitals (400) and non–COVID-19 facilities (401) underwent an electrochemiluminescent automated immunoassay for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Details including demographics, comorbidities, symptoms compatible with COVID-19, contact with COVID-19 individuals, personal protective equipment use at work, and details of polymerase chain reaction tests were collected through a validated questionnaire. Results Doctors (201, 25.1%), nurses (308, 38.5%), and ancillary workers (292, 36.5%) participated in the study. Seroprevalence in 801 participants was 11.1% (9.1% to 13.5%). It was significantly higher ancillary workers (18.5%, 14.5% to 23.3%) than doctors (7%, 4.2% to 11.4%) and nurses (6.8%, 4.5% to 10.2%). Seroprevalence was significantly higher in non–COVID-19 hospitals (13.5%, 10.5% to 17.2%) than COVID-19 hospitals (8.7%, 6.3% to 11.9%). Having a COVID-19 household contact was a significant risk for seropositivity (18.9% vs 10.3%), while a neighborhood contact did not affect seropositivity (9.4% vs 7.3%). Loss of taste/smell and fever were only 2 symptoms associated with seropositivity. Comorbidities did not affect the seropositivity rate. Conclusion Seropositivity was likely to be higher in ancillary workers and in non-COVID hospitals. There is need to enhance COVID protection protocols and awareness among all health care workers.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in Health-Care Workers: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Alejandro Gómez-Ochoa ◽  
Oscar H Franco ◽  
Lyda Z Rojas ◽  
Peter Francis Raguindin ◽  
Zayne Milena Roa-Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Health-care workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), being at a higher risk of acquiring the disease and, subsequently, exposing patients and others. Searches of 8 bibliographic databases were performed to systematically review the evidence on the prevalence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among HCWs. A total of 97 studies (all published in 2020) met the inclusion criteria. The estimated prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection from HCWs’ samples, using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and the presence of antibodies, was 11% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7, 15) and 7% (95% CI: 4, 11), respectively. The most frequently affected personnel were nurses (48%, 95% CI: 41, 56), whereas most of the COVID-19–positive medical personnel were working in hospital nonemergency wards during screening (43%, 95% CI: 28, 59). Anosmia, fever, and myalgia were the only symptoms associated with HCW SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Among HCWs positive for COVID-19 by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, 40% (95% CI: 17, 65) were asymptomatic at time of diagnosis. Finally, severe clinical complications developed in 5% (95% CI: 3, 8) of the COVID-19–positive HCWs, and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.02, 1.3) died. Health-care workers suffer a significant burden from COVID-19, with those working in hospital nonemergency wards and nurses being the most commonly infected personnel.

scholarly journals Cycle Threshold to Test Positivity in COVID-19 for Return to Work Clearance in Health Care Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Domeracki ◽  
Robert N. Clapp ◽  
Kristopher Taylor ◽  
Chuanyi M. Lu ◽  
Harry Lampiris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Cycle Threshold ◽  
Care Workers

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

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.

Waterbirth and the risk of HIV to Health Care Workers (HCW)

Pflege ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Colombo ◽  
Patrick Pei ◽  
Josef Jost
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Hiv Rna ◽  
Care Workers

Das berufsbedingte Expositions- und Infektionsrisiko für Hebammen/GeburtshelferInnen, sich bei der Begleitung von Wassergeburten von (möglicherweise unentdeckten) HIV-positiven Frauen mit HIV zu infizieren ist unbekannt. Ziel war die Quantifizierung des Blutverlustes nach der Wassergeburt und Einschätzung des Expositionsrisikos von Medizinalpersonen, unter theoretischer Annahme verschiedener HIV-viral loads. Dazu wurden insgesamt 24 Wasserproben gesammelt und 14 davon ausgewertet. Diesem Blutverlust wurde die Annahme von verschiedenen HIV-viral loads entgegengesetzt (103–106 HIV-RNA Kopien/ml) und daraus die Belastung pro ml Wannenwasser errechnet. Zu allen Geburten wurde ein Fragebogen über die Gebärenden (Parität, Serostatus für HIV/Hepatitis B (HBV)/Hepatitis C (HCV) der Gebärenden, Wannenverweildauer, Damm-Zustand, Zeit Blasensprung, Nachgeburt in der Wanne, Dauer der Geburt etc.) und der involvierten Medizinalperson (Zeitdauer Wasserkontakt, Art der getragenen Handschuhe, Zustand Berufskleidung, Hautläsionen, HBV-Impfstatus, Berufserfahrung, Risikoeinschätzung etc.) beigelegt. Der mittlere errechnete Blutverlust war 300 ml; die mittlere Wannenwassermenge 633 Liter. In der Annahme eines maximalen HIV-viral load von 106 HIV-RNA Kopien/ml ergibt das eine Belastung von bis zu 476 HIV-RNA Kopien/ml Wannenwasser. 37% der befragten Hebammen (n = 14) wiesen Hautläsionen an Händen oder Fingern auf; eine war nicht gegen HBV geimpft. Die vorgefundenen Blutverluste von 300 ml sind relevant und der Kontakt mit durch blutkontaminiertem Wasser der Medizinalperson während der Geburtsbegleitung ist die Regel. Diese sind durch die Art der routinemäßig getragenen Handschuhe nur ungenügend geschützt. Aufgrund des Verdünnungseffektes kann eine potentielle HIV-Exposition von Poolwasser per Hautkontakt der Medizinalperson als «low level» bezeichnet werden. Eine HIV-Infektion kann als unwahrscheinlich angenommen werden; eine HBV-Exposition hingegen ist potentiell signifikanter. Bei der Begleitung von Wassergeburten sind adäquate langarmige Schutzhandschuhe zu tragen sowie wasserundurchlässige Schürzen und eine HBV-Impfung ist unerlässlich.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document