Risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among hospital healthcare workers in relation to patient contact and type of care.
JSON
Klevebro S, Bahram F, Elfström KM, Hellberg U, Hober S, Merid SK, Kull I, Nilsson P, Tornvall P, Wang G, Conneryd Lundgren K, Ponzer S, Dillner J, Melén E
Scand J Public Health 49 (7) 707-712 [2021-11-00; online 2021-06-19]
We aimed to assess prevalence of IgG antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and factors associated with seropositivity in a large cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs). From 11 May until 11 June 2020, 3981 HCWs at a large Swedish emergency care hospital provided serum samples and questionnaire data. Presence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was measured as an indicator of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The total seroprevalence was 18% and increased during the study period. Among the seropositive HCWs, 11% had been entirely asymptomatic. Participants who worked with COVID-19 patients had higher odds for seropositivity: adjusted odds ratio 1.96 (95% confidence intervals 1.59-2.42). HCWs from three of the departments managing COVID-19 patients had significantly higher seroprevalences, whereas the prevalence among HCWs from the intensive care unit (also managing COVID-19 patients) was significantly lower. HCWs in contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected patients had a variable, but on average higher, likelihood for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Autoimmunity and Serology Profiling [Service]
PubMed 34148454
DOI 10.1177/14034948211022434
Crossref 10.1177/14034948211022434