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Half-Year Longitudinal Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-Antibodies and Rule Compliance in German Hospital Employees

Author

Listed:
  • Jonas Herzberg

    (Department of Surgery, Krankenhaus Reinbek St. Adolf-Stift, Hamburger Strasse 41, 21465 Reinbek, Germany)

  • Tanja Vollmer

    (Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany)

  • Bastian Fischer

    (Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany)

  • Heiko Becher

    (Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Ann-Kristin Becker

    (Asklepios Klinik Harburg Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Eißendorfer Pferdeweg 52, 21075 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Hany Sahly

    (Labor Lademannbogen MVZ Hamburg, Lademannbogen 61, 22339 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Human Honarpisheh

    (Department of Surgery, Krankenhaus Reinbek St. Adolf-Stift, Hamburger Strasse 41, 21465 Reinbek, Germany)

  • Salman Yousuf Guraya

    (Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates)

  • Tim Strate

    (Department of Surgery, Krankenhaus Reinbek St. Adolf-Stift, Hamburger Strasse 41, 21465 Reinbek, Germany)

  • Cornelius Knabbe

    (Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany)

Abstract

COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an occupational health risk, especially for healthcare employees due to their higher exposure and consequently higher risk of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. This study was designed to determine the longitudinal seroprevalence of specific immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies in employees in a hospital setting. All employees in a secondary care hospital, including healthcare and non-healthcare workers, were invited to participate in this single-center study. After an initial screening, a 6-month follow-up was carried out, which included serological examination for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and a questionnaire for self-reported symptoms, self-perception, and thoughts about local and national hygiene and pandemic plans. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 0.74% among 406 hospital employees (0.75% in healthcare workers, 0.72% in non-healthcare workers), initially recruited in April 2020, in their follow-up blood specimens in October 2020. In this study, 30.54% of the participants reported using the official German coronavirus mobile application and the majority were content with the local and national rules in relation to coronavirus-related restrictions. At the 6-month follow-up, the 0.74% seroprevalence was below the reported seroprevalence of 1.35% in the general German population. The prevalence in healthcare workers in direct patient care compared with that in workers without direct patient contact did not differ significantly. Further follow-up to monitor the seroprevalence in the high-risk healthcare sector during the ongoing global pandemic is essential.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Herzberg & Tanja Vollmer & Bastian Fischer & Heiko Becher & Ann-Kristin Becker & Hany Sahly & Human Honarpisheh & Salman Yousuf Guraya & Tim Strate & Cornelius Knabbe, 2021. "Half-Year Longitudinal Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-Antibodies and Rule Compliance in German Hospital Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10972-:d:659619
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Platten & Albert Nienhaus & Claudia Peters & Rita Cranen & Hilmar Wisplinghoff & Jan Felix Kersten & Alexander Daniel Bach & Guido Michels, 2022. "Cumulative Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers at a General Hospital in Germany during the Pandemic—A Longitudinal Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Anke Hildebrandt & Oktay Hökelekli & Lutz Uflacker & Henrik Rudolf & Michael Paulussen & Sören G. Gatermann, 2022. "Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Employees of Three Hospitals of a Secondary Care Hospital Network in Germany and an Associated Fire Brigade: Results of a Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveillan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Rebecca Amati & Giovanni Piumatti & Giovanni Franscella & Peter Buttaroni & Anne-Linda Camerini & Laurie Corna & Sara Levati & Marta Fadda & Maddalena Fiordelli & Anna Maria Annoni & Kleona Bezani & A, 2023. "Trajectories of Seroprevalence and Neutralizing Activity of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Southern Switzerland between July 2020 and July 2021: An Ongoing, Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.

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