Investigating Adherence to COVID-19 Vaccination and Serum Antibody Concentration among Hospital Workers—The Experience of an Italian Private Hospital

SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been high, especially among healthcare workers worldwide during the first wave. Vaccination is recognized as the most effective approach to combat the pandemic, but hesitation to get vaccinated represents an obstacle. Another important issue is the duration of protection after administration of the full vaccination cycle. Based on these premises, we conducted a study to evaluate vaccination adherence and the anti-S antibodies levels among hospital workers, from January to March, 2021. To assess adherence, an anonymous questionnaire was used. Anti-S antibody levels were obtained from the monitoring serological sample database. In total, 56.2% of the unvaccinated people did not report a previous infection from COVID-19. Among those who have not been vaccinated, 12.5% showed distrust against the vaccine, 8.3% stated to have received contraindications to the vaccination, and 6.3% did not report any choice. Analyzing anti-S antibody levels, only one person was found to have a value below the lower cut-off, two weeks, and three months after receiving their second dose. One was below the cut-off after two weeks, and then above the same cut-off after three months. The results of our survey should be seen as a stimulus to further sensitize hospital staff to the importance of vaccination and pay attention to anti-S antibody levels monitoring.

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Antibody Response after BNT162b2 Vaccination in Healthcare Workers Previously Exposed and Not Exposed to SARS-CoV-2

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10184204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

pp. 4204

Author(s):

Marcello Salvaggio ◽

Federica Fusina ◽

Filippo Albani ◽

Maurizio Salvaggio ◽

Rasula Beschi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibody Response ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Antibody Concentration ◽

Clinical Documentation ◽

Receptor Binding Domain ◽

Effective Number ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Previous Infection ◽

Antibody Levels

The Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty vaccine (BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19) against SARS-CoV-2 is currently in use in Italy. Antibodies to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to administration are not routinely tested; therefore, two doses may be administered to asymptomatic previously exposed subjects. The aim of this study is to assess if any difference in antibody concentration between subjects exposed and not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 prior to BNT162b2 was present after the first dose and after the second dose of vaccine. Data were retrospectively collected from the clinical documentation of 337 healthcare workers who underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing before and after BNT162b2. Total anti RBD (receptor-binding domain) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2′s spike protein were measured before and 21 days after the first dose, and 12 days after the second dose of BNT162b2. Twenty-one days after the first dose, there was a statistically significant difference in antibody concentration between the two groups, which was also maintained twelve days after the second dose. In conclusion, antibody response after receiving BNT162b2 is greater in subjects who have been previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 than in subjects who have not been previously exposed to the virus, both after 21 days after the first dose and after 12 days from the second dose. Antibody levels, 21 days after the first dose, reached a titer considered positive by the test manufacturer in the majority of subjects who have been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Evaluating previous infection prior to vaccination in order to give the least effective number of doses should be considered.

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Socioeconomic and Behavioral Correlates of COVID-19 Infections among Hospital Workers in the Greater Jakarta Area, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5048

Author(s):

Adrianna Bella ◽

Mochamad Thoriq Akbar ◽

Gita Kusnadi ◽

Olivia Herlinda ◽

Putri Aprilia Regita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Worker ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Household Size ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Hospital Workers ◽

Behavioral Correlates ◽

Cross Sectional

(1) Background: because of close contacts with COVID-19 patients, hospital workers are among the highest risk groups for infection. This study examined the socioeconomic and behavioral correlates of COVID-19 infection among hospital workers in Indonesia, the country hardest-hit by the disease in the Southeast Asia region. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study, which collected data from 1397 hospital staff from eight hospitals in the Greater Jakarta area during April–July 2020. The data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests. We employed descriptive statistics and adjusted and unadjusted logistic regressions to analyze the data of hospital workers as well as the subgroups of healthcare and non-healthcare workers. (3) Results: from a total of 1397 hospital staff in the study, 22 (1.6%) were infected. In terms of correlates, being a healthcare worker (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 8.31, 95% CI 1.27–54.54) and having a household size of more than five (AOR = 4.09, 1.02–16.43) were significantly associated with a higher risk of infection. On the other hand, those with middle- and upper-expenditure levels were shown to have a lower risk of infection (AOR = 0.06, 0.01–0.66). Behavioral factors associated with COVID-19 infection among healthcare and non-healthcare workers included knowledge of standard personal protective equipment (PPE) (AOR = 0.08, 0.01–0.54) and application of the six-step handwashing technique (AOR = 0.32, 0.12–0.83). (4) Conclusion: among hospital staff, correlates of COVID-19 infection included being a healthcare worker, household size, expenditure level, knowledge and use of PPE, and application of appropriate hand washing techniques.

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LegionellaAntibodies in a Danish Hospital Staff with Known Occupational Exposure

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2009/812829 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. Rudbeck ◽

S. Viskum ◽

K. Mølbak ◽

S. A. Uldum

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Reference Group ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hospital Workers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Staff Members ◽

Antibody Titres ◽

Antibody Levels

Although legionnaires' disease frequently is acquired in health care institutions, little is known about the occupational risk ofLegionellainfection among health care workers. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to analyse antibody levels among exposed hospital workers and to determine the correlation between antibodies toLegionellaand self-reported symptoms. The study included 258 hospital employees and a reference group of 708 healthy blood donors. Hospital workers had a higher prevalence ofLegionellaantibody titres (1 : 128) than blood donors (odds ratio 3.4; 95% CI 2.4–4.8). Antibody levels were not higher among staff members at risk of frequent aerosol exposure than among less exposed employees. There was no consistent association between a history of influenza-like symptom complex and the presence of antibodies. The results indicate that hospital workers have a higher risk ofLegionellainfections than the general population. However, since no excess morbidity was associated with seropositivity, mostLegionellainfections may be asymptomatic.

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The Effectiveness of Post-Vaccination and Post-Infection Protection in the Hospital Staff of Three Prague Hospitals: A Cohort Study of 8-Month Follow-Up from the Start of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign (COVANESS)

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines10010009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 9

Author(s):

Marek Petráš ◽

Ivana Králová Lesná ◽

Livia Večeřová ◽

Elka Nyčová ◽

Jana Malinová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Post Infection ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Public Confidence ◽

Continuous Assessment ◽

Hospital Workers ◽

Post Vaccination ◽

Previous Infection

Continuous assessment of the effectiveness of approved COVID-19 vaccines is crucial to gain an insight into the longer-term impact on health outcomes, and eventually boosting public confidence. For this reason, we conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data on infection and vaccination rates among employees of three Prague hospitals in the period between 27 December 2020 and 31 August 2021. The post-vaccination and post-infection protectiveness were assessed in a total of 11,443 hospital workers who were followed up for more than 14 days either after their Comirnaty vaccination or study enrolment, depending on their previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The effectiveness of full vaccination against any SARS-CoV-2 infection achieved 88.3% (83.2–91.8%) over the eight months of follow-up, a figure not much different from the 92.5% (76.5–97.6%) level of protection built by a previous infection. Despite this, the post-vaccination level of protection declined to about 65% between June and August. No case of breakthrough infection was registered among hospital workers having received one or two vaccine doses more than three months after previous infection. The eight-month effectiveness of the Comirnaty vaccine exhibited a declining trend requiring a new booster dose. The need for vaccination in the previously infected employees was not demonstrated conclusively in this study.

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Serum Antibody Response Comparison and Adverse Reaction Analysis in Healthcare Workers Vaccinated with the BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1 COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9121379 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1379

Author(s):

Sung-Hee Lim ◽

Seong-Hyeok Choi ◽

Bora Kim ◽

Ji-Youn Kim ◽

Young-Sok Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Antibody Response ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

And Gender ◽

Gender Categories ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

Very High

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing rapidly and requires different strategies to maintain immunization. In Korea, different COVID-19 vaccines are recommended and available for various populations, including healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We plan to evaluate the adverse events (AEs) and immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 vaccines in HCWs at a single center. This cohort study included HCWs fully vaccinated with either BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1. Blood samples were taken eight weeks after the second vaccination with both COVID-19 vaccines and six months after the second vaccination from participants with the BNT162b2 vaccine. The primary endpoint for immunogenicity was the serum neutralizing antibody responses eight weeks after vaccination. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of various AEs within 28 days of each vaccination. Between 16 March and 23 June 2021, 115 participants were enrolled (65 in the ChAdOx1 group and 50 in the BNT162b2 group). Significantly higher surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) inhibition was observed in participants vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 (mean (SD) 91.4 (9.68)%) than in those vaccinated with ChAdOx1 (mean (SD) 73.3 (22.57)%). The effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine was maintained across all age and gender categories. At six months after the second dose, serum antibody levels declined significantly in the BNT162b2 group. The main adverse events, including fever, myalgia, fatigue, and headache, were significantly higher in the ChAdOx1 group after the first dose, whereas, after the second dose, those AEs were significantly higher in the BNT162b2 group (p < 0.05). Two doses of either the ChAdOx1 or the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine resulted in very high seropositivity among the HCWs at our center. The quality of the antibody response, measured by sVNT inhibition, was significantly better with the BNT162b2 vaccine than with the ChAdOx1 vaccine. There was no significant association between neutralizing antibody response and AE after each vaccination in our cohort.

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Immune Responses in Mice Immunized with Mastitis Multiple Vaccines Using Different Adjuvants

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.84088 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 8

Author(s):

Zhe Zhang ◽

Xin-Pu Li ◽

Feng Yang ◽

Jin-Yin Luo ◽

Xu-Rong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Aluminum Hydroxide ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Bovine Mastitis ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Control Group ◽

Antibody Concentration ◽

Phagocytic Ability ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

Spleen Index

Background: Bovine mastitis, a serious disease associated with both high incidence and significant economic losses, posing a major challenge to the global dairy industry. The development of vaccines for protection from new infections by mastitis pathogens is of considerable interest to the milk production industry. Vaccination is a common and easy strategy for the control of infectious diseases, and the adjuvants used in the formulation is a critical factor for vaccine efficacy improvement. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate three different adjuvants for their ability to enhance immune responses of mice that vaccinated with Bovine Mastitis Multiple Vaccine.Materials, Methods & Results: The thymus and spleen index, the phagocytic ability of macrophage and the serum antibody levels of mice were detected after vaccination, respectively. The results showed that the thymus index, spleen index, and the phagocytic ability of macrophage of mice in Aluminum group exhibited a significant higher level (P < 0.05) compared with those in the control groups. The difference of the serum antibody levels was significant (P < 0.05) between experimental groups and control group after vaccination. The serum antibody concentration of mice in FIA group was higher compared with other groups and had a longer duration. The antibody concentration of mice in France 206 oil group can not increase as fast as the antibody concentration of Aluminum group, but it can last a longer time at a high level. In conclusion, multiple vaccines mixed with three different adjuvants could enhance the immunity of mice and Freund’s incomplete adjuvant is the best choice for this vaccine.Discussion: Adjuvants play an important role in increasing the efficacy of a number of different vaccines. In this study, three kinds of adjuvants (Aluminum hydroxide, France 206 oil and FIA) were evaluated for their adjuvant effects for multiple vaccine of bovine mastitis in mice and aluminum hydroxide did best as the vaccine adjuvant from the results. Aluminum hydroxide is a universally accepted adjuvant for both human and veterinary vaccines. The goal of vaccination is to generate strong immune response providing protection against infection for a time. Different protective effects will usually obtained by different adjuvants even use same antigen. In this work, FIA, Alum and 206 oil were chosen as adjuvants for inactivated antigens of Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that there was a significantly higher antibody levels in vaccinated mice compared with those in control group. In addition, the mice in France 206 oil and FIA group performed a higher antibody levels and stronger immunity than mice in Aluminum hydroxide groups. These findings suggest that Freund’s incomplete adjuvant (FIA) would be the best candidate as the adjuvant for mastitis multiple vaccines investigated in this study.

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Clinicogenomic analysis of breakthrough infections by SARS CoV2 variants after ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 vaccination in healthcare workers

10.1101/2021.06.28.21259546 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pratibha Kale ◽

Ekta Gupta ◽

Chhagan Bihari ◽

Niharika Patel ◽

Sheetalnath Rooge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Humoral Immune Response ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Genomic Analysis ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Humoral Immune ◽

Antibody Levels

Background: India saw a massive surge and emergence of SARS CoV2 variants. We elucidated clinical and humoral immune response and genomic analysis of vaccine breakthrough (VBT) infections after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: The study was conducted on 1858 HCWs receiving two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 vaccine. Serial blood samples were collected to measure SARS CoV2 IgG and neutralizing antibodies. 46 RT-PCR positive samples from VBT infections were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Infection was confirmed in 219 (11.79%) HCWs of which 21.46% (47/219) were non-vaccinated, significantly more (p <0.001) than 9.52% (156/1639) vaccinated group. VBT infections were significantly higher in doctors and nurses compared to other hospital staff (p <0.001). Unvaccinated individuals had 1.57 times higher risk of infection compared to partially vaccinated (p 0.02) and 2.49 times than fully vaccinated (<0.001). Partially vaccinated were at higher risk of infection than fully vaccinated (RR 1.58,p 0.01). There were 3 (1.36%) severe cases and 1 death in unvaccinated group compared to none in the vaccinated. Non-response after 14 days of second dose was seen in 6.5% (3/46) and low antibody levels (1-4.62 S/CO) in 8.69% (4/46). Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was dominant (69.5%) and reinfection was documented in 4 (0.06%) HCWs. Conclusions: Nearly one in ten vaccinated HCWs can get infected, more so with only single dose (13.65%) than two doses (8.62%). Fully vaccinated are better protected with higher humoral immune response. Genomic analysis revealed an alarming rise of Delta variant (B.1.617.2) in VBT infections.

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Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein RBD Antibody Levels After Receiving a Second Dose of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AZD1222) Vaccine in Healthcare Workers: Lack of Association With Age, Sex, Obesity, and Adverse Reactions

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2021.779212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sang Won Lee ◽

Ji-Yong Moon ◽

Sun-Kyung Lee ◽

Hyun Lee ◽

SeolHwa Moon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Adenovirus Vector ◽

University Hospital ◽

Antibody Concentration ◽

S Protein ◽

Vector Vaccine ◽

Protein Receptor ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

To Receive

Response to vaccines generally varies according to individual factors of the vaccinated subjects such as demographics and immune status. While there are various reports of factors associated with immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, little is known about those of adenovirus vector vaccines. We conducted a prospective observational study to assess the relationships of antibody level with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and adverse reactions (ARs) to an adenovirus vector vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. Healthcare workers who planned to receive both the first and second injections of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine at Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, were enrolled in the study. Seven days after each injection, participants were asked to complete an online adverse reaction survey. In addition, anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody concentration was measured 4 weeks after the second injection. All participants (n = 447, 100%) showed serologic positivity (≥ 0.8 U/mL) 4 weeks after the second injection of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Furthermore, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD concentration was similar among groups when stratified by age, sex, BMI, or presence and severity of AR; multivariable linear regression found no associations between antibody response to the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and age, BMI, sex, and vaccine-induced ARs. In conclusion, age, sex, obesity, and ARs were not associated with antibody responses after two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination.

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European Recommendations for the Management of Healthcare Workers Occupationally Exposed to Hepatitis

European Journal of Medicine and Natural Sciences ◽

10.26417/ejmn.v2i1.p49-49 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 49

Author(s):

Enis Uruci

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

World Health ◽

Antibody Concentration ◽

Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Transferase Activity ◽

Mediterranean Countries

Exposure prevention is the primary strategy to reduce the risk of occupational bloodborne pathogen infections in healthcare workers (HCW). HCWs should be made aware of the medicolegal and clinical relevance of reporting an exposure, and have ready access to expert consultants to receive appropriate counselling, treatment and follow-up. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and demonstration of immunisation before employment are strongly recommended. HCWs with postvaccinal anti-HBs levels, 1-2 months after vaccine completion, .or=10 mIU/mL are considered as responders. Responders are protected against HBV infection: booster doses of vaccine or periodic antibody concentration testing are not recommended. Alternative strategies to overcome non-response should be adopted. Isolated anti-HBc positive HCWs should be tested for anti-HBcIgM and HBV-DNA: if negative, anti-HBs response to vaccination can distinguish between infection (anti-HBs .or=50 mIU/ml 30 days after 1st vaccination: anamnestic response) and false positive results(anti-HBs .or=10 mUI/ml 30 days after 3rd vaccination: primary response); true positive subjects have resistance to re-infection. and do not need vaccination The management of an occupational exposure to HBV differs according to the susceptibility of the exposed HCW and the serostatus of the source. When indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis with HBV vaccine, hepatitis B immunoglobulin or both must be started as soon as possible (within 1-7 days). In the absence of prophylaxis against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, follow-up management of HCV exposures depends on whether antiviral treatment during the acute phase is chosen. Test the HCW for HCV-Ab at baseline and after 6 months; up to 12 for HIV-HCV co-infected sources. If treatment is recommended, perform ALT (amino alanine transferase) activity at baseline and monthly for 4 months after exposure, and qualitative HCV-RNA when an increase is detected. Introduction Bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) represent an important hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs) (1). In the general population, HCV prevalence varies geographically from about 0.5% in northern countries to 2% in Mediterranean countries, with some 5 million chronic carriers estimated in Europe; while HBV prevalence ranges from 0.3% to 3%. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year in Europe 304 000 HCWs are exposed to at least one percutaneous injury with a sharp object contaminated with HBV, 149 000 are exposed to HCV and 22 000 to HIV. The probability of acquiring a bloodborne infection following an occupational exposure has been estimated to be on average.

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Antibody response of carp, Cyprinus carpio to the cestode, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182099004242 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 118 (6) ◽

pp. 635-639 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

P. NIE ◽

D. HOOLE

Keyword(s):

Antibody Response ◽

Cyprinus Carpio ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Infected Fish ◽

Immune Protection ◽

Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽

Bothriocephalus Acheilognathi ◽

Protection Against Infection ◽

Antibody Levels ◽

Antibody Secreting Cells

The humoral antibody response and the number of pronephric antibody-secreting cells were examined in naturally Bothriocephalus acheilognathi-infected carp. Cyprinus carpio, and in those injected intraperitoneally with an extract of the cestode. In the extract-injected fish, specific antibody was detected 3 weeks after a second injection given 2 weeks after the primary injection, and antibody levels persisted for more than 200 days. A third injection also enhanced the antibody level in the extract-injected carp. The numbers of antibody-secreting cells were significantly higher in carp injected 3 times with the extract than in the control. In naturally-infected fish, the serum antibody levels and the number of pronephric antibody-secreting cells were higher in infected fish than in uninfected individuals although this difference was not statistically significant. The relevance of these results to immune protection against infection is discussed.

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