Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody is higher in younger Austrian blood donors

Weidner, Lisa; Nunhofer, Verena; Jungbauer, Christof; Hoeggerl, Alexandra Domnica; Grüner, Lydia; Grabmer, Christoph; Zimmermann, Georg; Rohde, Eva; Laner-Plamberger, Sandra

doi:10.1007/s15010-021-01639-0

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(26 reference statements)

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“…This could potentially correlate with the generally mild courses of disease in our blood donors. Finally, our results are in line with reports from blood donors of four other Austrian federal states [ 16 ], of the Lombardy region in Italy [ 17 ], the San Francisco Bay area in the USA [ 18 ] and recent findings from the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City [ 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In summary, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 3.1% in summer 2020 among Tyrolean blood donors. Our study underscores the suitability of blood donors as an epidemiologic sentinel surveillance system in order to identify local outbreaks and monitor diseases, as blood donors are easily available and representative, at least for the generally healthy subgroup of our population [ 16 , 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020

Siller

Wachter

Neururer

et al. 2021

Wien Klin Wochenschr

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Summary Background Seroepidemiological studies provide important insight into the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) in our society. We aimed to determine seropositivity of SARS-CoV‑2 antibodies and its cross-sectional correlates in a large cohort of blood donors. Methods In this observational cohort study, we tested healthy blood donors residing in Tyrol, Austria, for SARS-CoV‑2 antibodies using the Abbott SARS-CoV‑2 IgG chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. We estimated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of seroprevalences using bootstrapping and tested for differences by participant characteristics using logistic regression. Findings Between 8 June and 4 September 2020, we screened 5345 healthy individuals at local blood donor sessions (mean age 42.7 years, SD 13.5 years, 46.7% female). Overall seroprevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.7–3.6%, 165 cases), which is 5.1-fold higher (95% CI 4.5–6.0%) than the case number identified by the health authorities in the state-wide testing program (0.6%; 4536 out of 757,634). Seroprevalence was higher in the district Landeck (16.6%, P < 0.001) and in individuals aged < 25 years (4.7%, P = 0.043), but did not differ by gender, blood types, or medication intake. The odds ratio for seropositivity was 2.51 for participants who had travelled to Ischgl (1.49–4.21, P = 0.001), 1.39 who had travelled to other federal states (1.00–1.93, P = 0.052), and 2.41 who had travelled abroad (1.61–3.63, P < 0.001). Compared to participants who had a suspected/confirmed SARS-CoV‑2 infection but were seronegative, seropositive participants more frequently reported loss of smell (odds ratio = 2.49, 1.32–4.68, P = 0.005) and taste (odds ratio = 2.76, 1.54–4.92, P = 0.001). Conclusion In summer 2020, SARS-CoV‑2 seroprevalence in Tyrolean blood donors was 3.1%. Our study revealed regional variation and associations with young age, travel history and specific symptoms.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020

Siller

Wachter

Neururer

et al. 2021

Wien Klin Wochenschr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…First responders (4%) had a significantly higher seroprevalence than the general German population (1%) and only 41% were aware that they had COVID-19 in the past [ 5 ]. Our findings corroborate previous findings by determining a higher seroprevalence among first responders of the emergency rescue team, with contact to a COVID-19 case and younger employees [ 6 , 7 ]. The elevated seroprevalence in younger employees may be explained by younger employees being more likely to work in the emergency rescue team and more frequently exposed to someone with COVID-19.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Underascertainment of COVID-19 cases among first responders: a seroepidemiological study

Backhaus

Hermsen

Timm

et al. 2021

Occupational Medicine

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Background Providing frontline support places first responders at a high risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Aims This study was aimed to determine the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of first responders (i.e. firefighters/paramedics), to detect the underascertainment rate and to assess risk factors associated with seropositivity. Methods We conducted a serological survey among 745 first responders in Germany during 27 November and 4 December 2020 to determine the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence using Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). As part of the examination, participants were asked to provide information on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-like-symptoms, information on sociodemographic characteristics and workplace risk factors for a SARS-CoV-2 infection and any prior COVID-19 infection. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed and seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity. Results The test-adjusted seroprevalence was 4% (95% CI 3.1–6.2) and the underascertainment rate was 2.3. Of those tested SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive, 41% were aware that they had been infected in the past. Seropositivity was elevated among paramedics who worked in the emergency rescue team providing first level of pre-hospital emergency care (6% [95% CI 3.4–8.6]) and those directly exposed to a COVID-19 case (5% [95% CI 3.5–8.1]). Overall, the seroprevalence and the underascertainment rate were higher among first responders than among the general population. Conclusions The high seroprevalence and underascertainment rate highlight the need to mitigate potential transmission within and between first responders and patients. Workplace control measures such as increased and regular COVID-19-testing and the prompt vaccination of all personnel are necessary.

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“…All prior population-based seroepidemiological studies in Austria have been conducted in 2020 and hence before vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was rolled out to the public. These include a first report from our cohort [5] that revealed a seroprevalence of 3.1% (95% CI: 2.7-3.6%) in June to September 2020 in Tyrol and another study [6] in blood donors in four other Federal States of Austria that showed a seroprevalence of 2.5% (2.2-2.7%) in June to December 2020 in four other Federal States of Austria. Furthermore, in November 2020, a nationwide study involving individuals selected based on household sampling found a seroprevalence of 3.1% (95% CI: 2.2-4.0%) [7].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…There are several studies in different European countries that have assessed the trajectories of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the general population over time, including studies in blood donors and household samples in Germany [2] and the UK [3,4]. In Austria, however, previous seroprevalence studies have been restricted to the time before vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 were licensed [5][6][7] and, hence, data on seroprevalence in the vaccination-era is lacking. Moreover, there are scarce data on the rate at which anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels wane after an infection and after vaccination [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence, waning, and correlates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Tyrol, Austria: Large-scale study of 35,193 blood donors conducted between June 2020 and September 2021

Siller

Seekircher

Wachter

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: There is uncertainty about the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Austria, and about the extent to which antibodies elicited by vaccination or infection wane over time. Aim: To estimate seroprevalence, waning, and correlates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in the Federal State of Tyrol, Austria. Methods: We conducted a seroepidemiological study between June 2020 and September 2021, enrolling blood donors aged 18-70 years across Tyrol, Austria (participation rate 84.0%). We analysed serum samples for antibodies against spike or nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 with Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assays. Results: We performed 47,363 serological tests among 35,193 individuals (median age 43.1 years [IQR: 29.3-53.7], 45.3% women, 10.0% with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection). Seroprevalence increased from 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.2%) in June 2020 to 82.7% (95% CI: 81.4-83.8%) in September 2021, largely due to vaccination. Anti-spike IgG seroprevalence was 99.6% (99.4-99.7%) among fully vaccinated individuals, 90.4% (88.8-91.7%) among unvaccinated with prior infection, and 11.5% (10.8-12.3%) among unvaccinated without known prior infection. Anti-spike IgG levels were reduced by 44.0% (34.9-51.7%) at 5-6 months compared to 0-3 months after infection. In fully vaccinated individuals, they decreased by 31.7% (29.4-33.9%) per month. In multivariable adjusted analyses, both seropositivity among unvaccinated and antibody levels among fully vaccinated individuals were higher at young age (<25 years), higher with a known prior infection, and lower in current smokers. Conclusion: Seroprevalence in Tyrol increased to 82.7% in September 2021, with the bulk of seropositivity stemming from vaccination. Antibody levels substantially and gradually declined after vaccination or infection.

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Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody is higher in younger Austrian blood donors

Cited by 14 publications

References 22 publications

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020

Underascertainment of COVID-19 cases among first responders: a seroepidemiological study

Seroprevalence, waning, and correlates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Tyrol, Austria: Large-scale study of 35,193 blood donors conducted between June 2020 and September 2021

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