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Multicenter Study
. 2022 Jul-Aug;42(4):246-251.
doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2022.229. Epub 2022 Aug 4.

Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in hemodialysis facilities: a cross-sectional multicenter study from Madinah

Abdulrahman A Housawi  1 , Shazada Junaid S Qazi  2 , Abdulhalem A Jan  3 , Rashid A Osman  4 , Mashil M Alshamrani  1 , Talal A AlFaadhel  5 , Fayez F AlHejaili  6 , Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq  7 , Ahmed A Wafa  8 , Abdulmageed E Hamza  9 , Moustafa A Hassan  10 , Suliman A Alharbi  3 , Hamza Albasheer  3 , Majed M Almohmmdi  3 , Salem A Alsisi  3 , Michal Mankowski  11 , Joris Van de Klundert  12 , Amal M Alhelal  1 , Fatima H Sala  1 , Ali Kheyami  13 , Bader A Alhomayeed  14
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in hemodialysis facilities: a cross-sectional multicenter study from Madinah

Abdulrahman A Housawi et al. Ann Saudi Med. 2022 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: Since the occurrence of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19), the global community has witnessed its exponential spread with devastating outcomes within the general population and specifically within hemodialysis patients.

Objectives: Compare the state of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among hemodialysis patients and staff.

Design: Cross-sectional study with a prospective follow-up period.

Setting: Hemodialysis centers in Madinah region.

Patients and methods: We prospectively tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dialysis patients using dialysis centers staff as controls. The participants were tested on four occasions when feasible for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We also analyzed factors that might be associated with seropositivity.

Main outcome measures: SARS-CoV-2 positivity using immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels SAMPLE SIZE: 830 participants, 677 patients and 153 dialysis centers staff as controls.

Results: Of the total participants, 325 (257 patients and 68 staff) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, for a prevalence of 38.0% and 44.4% among patients and staff, respectively (P=.1379). Participants with a history of COVID-19 or related symptoms were more likely to have positive IgG (P<.0001). Surprisingly, positivity was also center-dependent. In a multivariable logistic regression, a history of infection and related symptoms contributed significantly to developing immunity.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among hemodialysis patients and previously asymptomatic staff suggested past asymptomatic infection. Some centers showed more immunity effects than others.

Limitations: Unable to collect four samples for each participant; limited to one urban center.

Conflict of interest: None.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study flow diagram.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Ages of participant groups by IgG results (0=negative, 1=positive) (P<.0001).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Hospitalization of participant groups by IgG results (0=negative, 1=positive).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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