Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.019
Title: | Cross-sectional prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers in paediatric facilities in eight countries |
Authors: | Goldblatt, D. Johnson, M. Falup-Pecurariu, O. Ivaskeviciene, I. Spoulou, V. Tamm, E. Wagner, M. Zar, H. J. Bleotu, L. Ivaskevicius, R. Papadatou, I. Jõgi, P. Lischka, J. Franckling-Smith, Z. Isarova, D. Grandjean, L. Zavadska, D. |
Keywords: | COVID-19;Healthcare workers;Hospital workers;SARS-CoV-2;Seroprevalence;5.5 Law;1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database;Microbiology (medical);Infectious Diseases;SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
Issue Date: | Apr-2021 |
Citation: | Goldblatt , D , Johnson , M , Falup-Pecurariu , O , Ivaskeviciene , I , Spoulou , V , Tamm , E , Wagner , M , Zar , H J , Bleotu , L , Ivaskevicius , R , Papadatou , I , Jõgi , P , Lischka , J , Franckling-Smith , Z , Isarova , D , Grandjean , L & Zavadska , D 2021 , ' Cross-sectional prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers in paediatric facilities in eight countries ' , Journal of Hospital Infection , vol. 110 , pp. 60-66 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.019 |
Abstract: | Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which may be driven, in part, by nosocomial exposure. If HCW exposure is predominantly nosocomial, HCWs in paediatric facilities, where few patients are admitted with COVID-19, may lack antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and be at increased risk during the current resurgence. Aim: To compare the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 amongst HCWs in paediatric facilities in seven European countries and South Africa (N=8). Methods: All categories of paediatric HCWs were invited to participate in the study, irrespective of previous symptoms. A single blood sample was taken and data about previous symptoms were documented. Serum was shipped to a central laboratory in London where SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G was measured. Findings: In total, 4114 HCWs were recruited between 1st May and mid-July 2020. The range of seroprevalence was 0–16.93%. The highest seroprevalence was found in London (16.93%), followed by Cape Town, South Africa (10.36%). There were no positive HCWs in the Austrian, Estonian and Latvian cohorts; 2/300 [0.66%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–2.4] HCWs tested positive in Lithuania; 1/124 (0.81%, 95% CI 0.14–4.3) HCWs tested positive in Romania; and 1/76 (1.3%, 95% CI 0.23–7.0) HCWs tested positive in Greece. Conclusion: Overall seroprevalence amongst paediatric HCWs is similar to their national populations and linked to the national COVID-19 burden. Staff working in paediatric facilities in low-burden countries have very low seroprevalence rates and thus are likely to be susceptible to COVID-19. Their susceptibility to infection may affect their ability to provide care in the face of increasing cases of COVID-19, and this highlights the need for appropriate preventative strategies in paediatric healthcare settings. |
Description: | Funding Information: DG receives support from the NIHR Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre . HZ is supported by the South African Medical Research Council . Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s) |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.019 |
ISSN: | 0195-6701 |
Appears in Collections: | Research outputs from Pure / Zinātniskās darbības rezultāti no ZDIS Pure |
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