Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among North Dakota community pharmacy personnel: A seroprevalence survey

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has disrupted much of the health care system. Despite changes in routine practices, community pharmacists have continuously served their patients throughout the pandemic. Frontline health care workers, including community pharmacy personnel, are at risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. Objective: The purpose of this observational study was to report the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from a sample of North Dakota community pharmacy personnel. Methods: This observational study was conducted in 2 cities in North Dakota with the highest COVID-19 rates at the time of investigation. Community pharmacy personnel were tested for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies using a rapid antibody test. In addition to antibody testing, participants completed a questionnaire reporting on demographics, previous COVID-19 exposure, previous COVID-19 symptoms, and personal protection equipment (PPE) practices. Results: A total of 247 pharmacy personnel from 29 pharmacies were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The timing and use of PPE varied by location. Among the 247 community pharmacy personnel, 14.6% tested positive for IgM, IgG, or both. Survey data revealed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between a positive antibody test and direct contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 (odds ratio: 2.65 [95% CI: 1.18e5.95]), but there were no statistically significant effects related to the workplace, including PPE use, personnel role, or the number of hours worked. The self-reported loss of taste or smell was the only significant symptom associated with a positive antibody test (18.91 [3.10e115.59]). Conclusion: Community pharmacy personnel may be at an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure compared with the general population.

Relationship between Acute-Phase Symptoms and Immunoglobulin G Seropositivity up to Eight Months after COVID-19

“…Other studies considered anosmia and ageusia to be a single symptom. Such studies also found a significant positive relationship between anosmia/ageusia and persisting IgG seropositivity [14,15]. In the present study, isolated ageusia was not a statistically significant predictor of seropositivity (Table 1, Figure 1).…”

Community pharmacy practice and challenges amid the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic: A survey in southwest Ethiopia

“…In France, up to 35% of pharmacists reported psychological disturbances (17% reported significant post-traumatic stress symptoms) [19]. Even though this survey did not test CPPs for the virus, a study reported that 14.6% of the community pharmacy personnel were tested positive for antibody which could put them stressed [20].…”

COVID-19 seroconversion in the aircrew from Turkey

“…Studies conducted by Lachassinne et al [ 27 ] found seroprevalence to be 7.7% in 197 daytime childcare personnel, while Murhekar et al were found the seroprevalence was to be 14,7% in employees with high virus exposure, such as healthcare workers, police, security guards, grocery stores, bus and taxi drivers [ 28 ]. In the study conducted by Johson et al [ 29 ] with 247 pharmacists, seroprevalence was 14.6%, while seroprevalence was 11.5% in the study of 157 dentists by Sarapultseva et al [ 30 ]. The seroprevalence in 203 firefighter paramedics was found to be 8.9% in the study performed by Martinez et al [ 31 ] Although studies reported on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers from many countries, there is no reported data in Turkey.…”