There is an ongoing debate as to whether SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be found in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 disease. Currently, there is no consensus on whether the antibodies, if present, are protective. Our regular measurements of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, starting in July 2020, have provided us with the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the five different immunoassays. A total of 149 patients were enrolled in our study. We measured the samples using each immunoassay, then performing a virus neutralization test and comparing the results of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with this test. We observed that the production of neutralizing antibodies is age-dependent. Elderly patients have a higher proportion of high neutralizing titers than young patients. Based on our results, and in combination with the literature findings, we can conclude that the serological SARS-CoV-2 antibody measurement is a helpful tool in the fight against COVID-19. The assays can provide information about the patient’s previous contact with the virus. Anti-spike protein assays correlate well with the virus neutralization test and can be used in the screening of potential convalescent plasma donors.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide triggering a pandemic during the year 2020. The proportion of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 whose infection remained subclinical is not known. However, such information is important to determine whether the control measures currently employed are sufficient to halt the spread of the virus. Current study has examined the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population of 92 healthcare professionals working with patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test system for SARS-CoV-2 IgG from EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG (Germany) was used. Very low herd antibodymediated immunity was proven, less than 2%, although we have been faced with the COVID-19 pandemic for several months. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing is currently unable to provide sufficient information about our anti-infectious immunity.

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Bayes' Theorem represents a mathematical formalization of the common sense. What we know about the world today is what we knew yesterday plus what the data told us. The lack of understanding of this concept is the source of many errors and wrong judgements in the current COVID-19 pandemic. In this contribution, we show how to use the framework of Bayesian inference to produce a reasonable estimate of seroprevalence from studies that use a single binary test. Bayes' Theorem sometimes produces results that seem counter-intuitive at first sight. It is important to realize that the reality may be different from its image represented by test results. The extent to which these two worlds differ depends on the performance of the test (i.e. its sensitivity and specificity), and the prevalence of the tested condition.

Background Several previous studies reported negative impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on reproductive plans and fertility rate. The aim of our study was to investigate for the first time reproductive plans and fertility rate among Czech women with IBD. Methods Between March and August 2019 consecutive women with IBD (age 18–55 years) from 22 centres across the whole Czech Republic were anonymously surveyed during their visit of gastroenterology centre using predefined questionnaire. The questionnaire was created by physicians of participating centres and commented by members of Patient organisation. The questionnaire was divided into 5 domains focused on patient’s demographics, details on IBD and treatment, gynaecologic history, reproductive issue and patients’ knowledge on this topic. The fertility rate was calculated as mean number of children per woman with known number of children and compared with data from the general Czech population. Results The questionnaire was filled-in by 501 women (median age 33 years; 67% with Crohn’s disease) of whom 287 (57%) already had ≥ 1 child (median 2 children; 40% born before IBD diagnosis). Up to 56% women (281) confessed having ever fear of infertility due to IBD and 27% (137) reported that the disease influenced (mainly negatively) their earlier reproductive plans with regard to decision not to have children, to have fewer children, or another timing of the pregnancy then previously wished. The total fertility rate in our study group was lower compared with the general population with 0.99 live births/IBD women vs. 1.69 live births/woman in Czech population. The pattern of decreased fertility among IBD females was observed in all age-specific categories (Table 1). No significant difference in fertility rate between women with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis was found (0.97 vs. 1.08, p = 0.51). Of the childless women, 67% planned to have offsprings in future, 16% were yet to decide and 16% did not want any children. Of those not planning infants, 58% reported IBD to be the primary cause, with the most frequent reason being fear of IBD heritability (29%) and worsening of IBD during pregnancy (26%). Conclusion Fertility rate in women with IBD in our survey was decreased compared with the general population of women in the Czech Republic. The negative impact of IBD seemed to contribute most to this finding.