High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)-Specific Antibodies among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Guilan, Iran. (22nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balou, Heydar Ali; Yaghubi Kalurazi, Tofigh; Joukar, Farahnaz; Hassanipour, Soheil; Shenagari, Mohammad; Khoshsorour, Mahmoud; Mansour-Ghanaei, Fariborz
• Other Names: Dettori Marco Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental and public health. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-22
• Subjects: Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational diseases -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.105
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/9081491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-9805

Abstract

Abstract : Background . This study was conducted to evaluate the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and IgG antibodies among healthcare workers in Guilan. Methods . This cross-sectional study was conducted on 503 healthcare workers. Between April and May 2020, blood samples were collected from the healthcare workers of Razi Hospital in Rasht, Guilan, Iran. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection and quantitation of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibodies by using kits made by Pishtaz Teb Company, Tehran, Iran. Results . From a total of 503 participants, the result of the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM antibody test was positive in 28 subjects (5.6%) and the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibody test was positive in171 subjects (34%). Participants in the age group of 35–54 years were significantly more likely to have a positive anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody test than the age group of 20–34 years (odds ratio = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.04–2.25, P = 0.029 ). Also, physicians were significantly more likely to have a positive antibody test than office workers (odds ratio = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.04–3.54, P = 0.037 ). The wide range of symptoms was significantly associated with the positive anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody test. The most significant association was observed between fever and a positive anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody test (odds ratio = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.06–4.44, P < 0.001 ). Conclusion . The results of the current study indicated that the seroprevalence of COVID-19 was high among healthcare workers of Guilan Province. It seems that this finding was due to the earlier exposure to COVID-19 and the lack of awareness and preparedness to deal with the pandemic in Iran, compared to other countries.