SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence among all healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Spain. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cantero, Mireia; Millán-Pérez, Rosario; Muñez, Elena; Gómez-Lozano, Natalia; Anel-Pedroche, Jorge; Parra, Lina M.; Rodríguez, Maria L.; Asensio, Angel
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases. Volume 54:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- healthcare worker -- infection prevention and control -- risk factors -- SARS-CoV-2 -- seroprevalence; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2021.1963468
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been a critical and vulnerable population during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the overall seroprevalence and to evaluate occupational risk factors among HCWs in one of the countries most affected by this pandemic. Methods: We conducted a seroprevalence study for SARS-CoV-2 in a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain) between 24 April and 8 May 2020. A total of 4894 HCWs were invited for serologic testing. Serum samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using Enzyme Immunoassay (ELISA) and Electro-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) techniques. We calculated odds ratios to assess association between demographic and occupational characteristics with SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion. Results: We processed 4324 serum samples. Overall, seroprevalence was of 16.6% (95% CI: 15.5–17.7). We found statistically significant differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence by type of employee, professional category, department and type of activity performed during the pandemic period, while no differences were identified between the personnel working in the COVID-19 wards compared to those working in non-COVID-19 wards. We confirmed 268 (26.7%) infections among 1005 hospital staff members tested by PCR. 60.5% of HCWs infected by SARS-CoV-2, assessed either by PCR or serology, could be considered asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic. Conclusions: HCWs have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection but COVID-19 patient exposure was not a determining factor. Universal mask wearing should be mandatory in healthcare settings given the important number of asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic cases.