Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Specific Antibodies in the Staff of a Children's Hospital, in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: In December 2019, a new coronavirus appeared in China, as a cause of acute respiratory disease. Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in children's hospitals are one of the groups who are at a high rate of exposure to COVID-19 patients. The detection of antibodies is useful and helps diagnose late or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most children may present with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be silent sources of infection in the community and hospitals. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the antibodies (IgM and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 in Mofid children's hospital staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 475 staff from Mofid children's hospital from April 20 to May 5, 2020, in Tehran. We collected blood samples for the antibody assay with a rapid test kit. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical data. Results: Of 475 staff who participated in this study, 25 (5.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and/or CT scan. Besides, 140 (29.4%) of them were positive for IgM and/or IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Conclusions: The seropositivity of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among children's hospital staff was higher than expected. Approximately 5% of the participants were diagnosed as definitive positive COVID-19 cases by PCR and/or CT scan, but 29.4% of them were seropositive. The difference is a warning, as it shows seropositive people could be silent sources of transmission during asymptomatic infection.

The role of routine SARS-CoV-2 screening of healthcare-workers in acute care hospitals in 2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“… Representativeness Is the data representative for HCW worldwide? Abdelmoniem et al [ 23 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Al-Zoubi et al [ 24 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Armin et al [ 25 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Brown et al [ 26 ] Low RoB Potentially for hospital staff, wide range of diverse job roles Campbell et al [ 27 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Cavicchiolo et al [ 28 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Demmer et al [ 29 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Dillner et al [ 30 ] Low RoB Potentially for hospital staff, high case number Fakhim et al [ 31 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Favara et al [ 32 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Ferreira et al [ 33 ] Low RoB Potentially for hospital staff, high case number Fusco et al [ 34 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Guery et al [ 35 ] Low RoB Lacking representativeness Halbrook et al [ <...…”

SARS-COV-2 Seroprevalence among Health Care Workers in Private and Public Hospitals in Tehran, Iran

“…Similarly, in a study conducted among staff of Mo d children's hospital in Tehran, Iran, no difference was observed in risk of seropositivity among HCWs versus individuals working in administrative departments (8). The similar seroprevalence estimates among HCWs versus non-HCWs in these studies could partly be due to lack of compliance to safety protocols and/or limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE) in some hospitals (8,9). Although these studies provide some insight into the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies among HCWs in Iran, their data did not include information on the potential variation in antibody seropositivity by HCW's hospital role, type of hospital (e.g., public vs. private), and hospital departments.…”

“…In a recently conducted study in cities across 17 provinces in Iran, the difference in prevalence of antibody seropositivity among front-line and non-front-line HCWs was low (21.6% vs.18.0%) (7). Similarly, in a study conducted among staff of Mo d children's hospital in Tehran, Iran, no difference was observed in risk of seropositivity among HCWs versus individuals working in administrative departments (8). The similar seroprevalence estimates among HCWs versus non-HCWs in these studies could partly be due to lack of compliance to safety protocols and/or limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE) in some hospitals (8,9).…”

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Among Health Care Workers in Major Private and Public Hospitals With COVID-19 Patient's Referral in Tehran, Iran

“…In a recently conducted study in 18 cities across 17 provinces in Iran, the difference in the prevalence of antibody seropositivity among frontline and non-frontline HCWs was low (21.6 vs.18.0%) ( 9 ). Similarly, in a study conducted among staff of Mofid children's hospital in Tehran, Iran, no difference was observed in the risk of seropositivity among HCWs vs. individuals working in administrative departments ( 10 ). The similar seroprevalence estimates among HCWs vs. non-HCWs in these studies could partly be due to the lack of compliance to safety protocols and/or limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE) in some hospitals ( 10 , 11 ).…”