Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 in the setting of a non-dedicated COVID-19 hospital in a low CoV-2 incidence area: Implications for surgery. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Medas, Fabio; Cappellacci, Federico; Anedda, Giacomo; Canu, Gian Luigi; Del Giacco, Stefano; Calò, Pietro Giorgio; Firinu, Davide
• Is Part Of: Annals of medicine and surgery. Volume 60(2021)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; General Surgery -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-0801

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 in the setting of a non-dedicated COVID-19 hospital in a low CoV-2 incidence area. We analysed the data of the patients admitted at our surgical department during the period 31st March - June 30, 2020. Among 86 patients included in the study, we found 2 (2.3%) patients positive for both SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM and IgG, 2 (2.3%) for only SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM, and 1 for only SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG. Thus, seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 was 5.8%; nasopharyngeal swab was negative in all the cases. Considering the current limitations in sensitivity of nasopharyngeal swab, the uncertainty in the natural history of SARS-CoV2, and the reported prevalence of CoV-2, we think that careful preadmission triage and tests, the use of personal protective equipment and safe management of surgical smoke are mandatory also in our context of low CoV-2 incidence area.