Large university with high COVID-19 incidence is not associated with excess cases in non-student population

Bharti, Nita; Lambert, Brian; Exten, Cara; Faust, Christina L.; Ferrari, Matthew J.; Robinson, Anthony C.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-07155-x

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The timing of Wave 1 and Wave 4 in relation to those in surrounding counties is inconsistent with the argument that our university reopening contributed to COVID incidence in the surrounding communities. Studies at other large universities with COVID policies and monitoring programs similar to our own support this conclusion (77)(78)(79).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and associated antibody responses among asymptomatic individuals in a large university community

Merling

Williams

Mahfooz

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SARS-CoV-2 (CoV2) infected, asymptomatic individuals are an important contributor to COVID transmission. CoV2-specific immunoglobulin (Ig), as generated by the immune system following infection or vaccination, has helped limit CoV2 transmission from asymptomatic individuals to susceptible populations (e.g. elderly). Here, we describe the relationships between COVID incidence and CoV2 lineage, viral load, saliva Ig levels (CoV2-specific IgM, IgA and IgG) and inhibitory capacity in asymptomatic individuals between Jan 2021 and May 2022. These data were generated as part of a large university COVID monitoring program and demonstrate that COVID incidence among asymptomatic individuals occurred in waves which mirrored those in surrounding regions, with saliva CoV2 viral loads becoming progressively higher in our community until vaccine mandates were established. Among the unvaccinated, infection with each CoV2 lineage (pre-Omicron) resulted in saliva Spike-specific IgM, IgA and IgG responses, the latter increasing significantly post-infection and being more pronounced than N-specific IgG responses. Vaccination resulted in significantly higher Spike-specific IgG levels compared to unvaccinated infected individuals, and uninfected vaccinees saliva was more capable of inhibiting Spike function. Vaccinees with breakthrough Delta infections had Spike-specific IgG levels comparable to those of uninfected vaccinees; however, their ability to inhibit Spike binding was diminished. These data demonstrate that COVID vaccines achieved hoped-for effects in our community, including the generation of mucosal antibodies that inhibit Spike and lower community viral loads, and suggest breakthrough Delta infections were not due to an absence of vaccine-elicited Ig, but instead limited Spike binding activity in the face of high community viral loads.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and associated antibody responses among asymptomatic individuals in a large university community

Merling

Williams

Mahfooz

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Bharti et al . 35 identified lower per-capita incidence in Centre County residents relative to the 5 surrounding counties, as well as a greater movement restriction and less time spent outside the home. Whilst this paper only examined Centre County residents, it is plausible that PSU employees were more able to work remotely and similarly reduced their movement and non-household contacts, relative to non-PSU employees.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

A longitudinal study of the impact of university student return to campus on the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the community members

Arnold

Srinivasan

Rodriguez

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Returning university students represent large-scale, transient demographic shifts and a potential source of transmission to adjacent communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, we tested for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a non-random cohort of residents living in Centre County prior to the Fall 2020 term at the Pennsylvania State University and following the conclusion of the Fall 2020 term. We also report the seroprevalence in a non-random cohort of students collected at the end of the Fall 2020 term. Of 1313 community participants, 42 (3.2%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies at their first visit between 07 August and 02 October 2020. Of 684 student participants who returned to campus for fall instruction, 208 (30.4%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between 26 October and 21 December. 96 (7.3%) community participants returned a positive IgG antibody result by 19 February. Only contact with known SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals and attendance at small gatherings (20–50 individuals) were significant predictors of detecting IgG antibodies among returning students (aOR, 95% CI 3.1, 2.07–4.64; 1.52, 1.03–2.24; respectively). Despite high seroprevalence observed within the student population, seroprevalence in a longitudinal cohort of community residents was low and stable from before student arrival for the Fall 2020 term to after student departure. The study implies that heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 transmission can occur in geographically coincident populations.

show abstract

“…Studies on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in various university communities suggest that the circulation of the virus in these communities, before the closure of teaching activities, was essentially identical to that of the general population [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, there have been reports of outbreaks on campuses after HEIs reopened [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], thus highlighting a possible role of these institutions in sustaining the pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in University Students: A Case-Control Study

Migliara

Renzi²,

Baccolini³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Closure of Higher Education Institutions in the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was largely diffused. With their reopening, numerous preventive measures have been enacted, but limited evidence exists on students’ behavior that could influence their infection risk. We conducted a case-control study at the Sapienza University of Rome to identify protective and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Students attending the campus within 48 h of SARS-CoV-2 infection were considered cases. Controls were students who come in contact with a confirmed case within the campus. Demographic features and activities carried out before positivity or contact were investigated. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, estimating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The analysis showed an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for attending the second year or above of university (aOR 17.7, 95% CI 2.21–142.82) and participating in private parties or ceremonies (aOR 15.9, 95% CI 2.30–109.67) while living outside the family (aOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.54) and attending practical activities or libraries on campus (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.08–0.97) reduced the risk. Data strongly suggests that it may be safe to participate in activities organized under strict infection prevention guidelines. Tailored preventmeasuressure might reduce the risk of infection in university students.

show abstract

Large university with high COVID-19 incidence is not associated with excess cases in non-student population

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and associated antibody responses among asymptomatic individuals in a large university community

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and associated antibody responses among asymptomatic individuals in a large university community

A longitudinal study of the impact of university student return to campus on the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the community members

Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in University Students: A Case-Control Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About