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. 2021 Jan:102:63-69.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.10.036. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care workers in a New York City hospital: A cross-sectional analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Usha Venugopal  1 , Nargis Jilani  1 , Sami Rabah  1 , Masood A Shariff  1 , Muzamil Jawed  1 , Astrid Mendez Batres  1 , Muhamed Abubacker  1 , Sharika Menon  1 , Anjana Pillai  1 , Nehad Shabarek  1 , Moiz Kasubhai  1 , Vihren Dimitrov  1 , Vidya Menon  2
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care workers in a New York City hospital: A cross-sectional analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Usha Venugopal et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Background: New York City (NYC) has endured the greatest burden of COVID-19 infections in the US. Health inequities in South Bronx predisposed this community to a large number of infectious cases, hospitalizations, and mortality. Health care workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of exposure to the infection. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and the associated characteristics of consenting HCWs from an NYC public hospital.

Methods: This cross-sectional study includes serum samples for qualitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing with nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2; PCR and completion of an online survey capturing demographics, COVID-19 symptoms during the preceding months on duty, details of healthcare and community exposure, and travel history were collected from consenting participants in May 2020. Participants' risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection in the hospital and in the community was defined based on CDC guidelines. Travel history to high-risk areas was also considered an additional risk. The Odds Ratio with bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess characteristics associated with seroprevalence.

Results: A total of 500 HCW were tested, 137 (27%) tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Symptomatic participants had a 75% rate of seroconversion compared to those without symptoms. Subjects with anosmia and ageusia had increased odds of seroconversion in comparison to those without these symptoms. Community exposure was 34% among those who had positive antibodies.

Conclusion: Seroprevalence among HCWs was high compared to the community at the epicenter of the pandemic. Further studies to evaluate sustained adaptive immunity in this high-risk group will guide our response to a future surge.

Keywords: Antibody; COVID-19; Exposure; Health care workers; SARS-CoV-2 PCR; Seroprevalence.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association between symptomatology and seroconversion.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Antigen (PCR) and antibody (IgG) results compared to the history of prior PCR results and symptoms in HCWs. (a) Ag−/Ab+ groups, N = 144; (b) Ag+/Ab+ groups, N = 30; and (c) Ag−/Ab− groups, N = 426. HWC, healthcare workers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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