Presence of specific SARS-COV2 antibodies in hemodialysis patients and their caregivers after the first wave of COVID-19

Abstract

Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk for severe COVID-19 and cannot comply with social distancing. SARS-COV2 seroprevalence in French patients and caregivers after the first wave of COVID-19 is unknown. SeroCOVIDial is a prospective study conducted between June and December 2020. SARS-COV2 seroprevalence was evaluated by a rapid serological test (BIOSYNEX) in HD patients and caregivers, and the presence or not of anti-SARS-COV2 neutralizing or non-neutralizing antibodies in patients was also determined by ELISA and seroneutralization. In June 2020, 451 HD patients and 238 caregivers were included. Overall SARS-COV2 seroprevalence was 8.4% (patients) and 6.7% (caregivers), and was 87.1% (patients) and 90.0% (caregivers) in participants with a previously documented SARS-COV2 infection. Overall seroprevalence reached 13.8% (patients) and 12.6% (caregivers) following the second epidemic wave. During the follow-up, 38 (8.4%) patients died (9 of COVID-19). Among the 44 (10.6%) patients who became infected, only two were seropositive at M0. The levels of anti-SARS-COV2 antibodies decreased over time in patients and caregivers. The BIOSYNEX test showed 82.9% sensitivity and 97.7% specificity. Prevalence of anti-SARS-COV2 antibodies was low in HD patients and caregivers after the first epidemic wave but rose after the second wave. A rapid serological test showed good performances and could be useful for future monitoring of anti-SARS-COV2 antibodies.

A comparative study of eight serological methods shows that spike protein-based ELISAs are the most accurate tests for serodiagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats and dogs

“…Moreover, it is also unknown how long viral particles can be detected in infected animals by means of RT-qPCR, so that the time elapsed between a positive RT-qPCR result and seroconversion should also limit DSe. These arguments could explain the higher Se detected with conventional tests based on S protein compared with VNA ( 24 ). To circumvent these limitations and in the absence of a more appropriate reference test, first, we tried to detect the virus by RT-qPCR.…”

Understanding COVID-19-related myocarditis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment strategies

“…Scientists and clinicians have made concerted efforts to seek treatment and preventive measures. Currently, many efforts have been made to develop new drugs for SARS-CoV-2 and to test previous drugs [ 62 ] , including antiviral drugs (such as nucleotide analogue) [ 63 ] , antibodies (such as convalescent plasma and high immunoglobulin) [ 64 ] , anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone and statins) [ 65 ] , targeted immunomodulatory therapy (such as tocilizumab, sarilumab, anakinra, and ruxolitinib), anticoagulants (such as heparin) [ 66 ] , and anti-fibrosis drugs (such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors) [ 67 ] . However, treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is still based on symptomatic treatment and subsequent supportive care.…”