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High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers in a North Italy Hospital

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Airoldi

    (Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Filippo Patrucco

    (Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Fulvia Milano

    (Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Daniela Alessi

    (Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Andrea Sarro

    (Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Maicol Andrea Rossi

    (Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Tiziana Cena

    (Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Silvio Borrè

    (Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Faggiano

    (Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
    Osservatorio Epidemiologico, 13100 Vercelli, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been the key players in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of our study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG anti-bodies. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among workers of two hospitals and Territorial Medical and Administrative services in Northern Italy. From 8 May to 3 June 2020, 2252 subjects were tested. Seroprevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for all individuals who were stratified by job title, COVID-19 risk of exposure, direct contact with patients, unit ward, and intensity of care. Results: Median age was 50 years, and 72% of subjects were female. The overall seroprevalence was 17.11% [95% CI 15.55–18.67]. Around 20% of healthcare assistants were seropositive, followed by physicians and nurses (16.89% and 15.84%, respectively). HCWs with high risk of exposure to COVID-19 were more frequently seropositive (28.52%) with respect to those with medium and low risks (16.71% and 12.76%, respectively). Moreover, personnel in direct contact had higher prevalence (18.32%) compared to those who did not (10.66%). Furthermore, the IgG were more frequently detected among personnel of one hospital (19.43%). Conclusion: The high seroprevalence observed can be partially explained by the timing and the population seroprevalence; the study was conducted in an area with huge spread of the infection.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Airoldi & Filippo Patrucco & Fulvia Milano & Daniela Alessi & Andrea Sarro & Maicol Andrea Rossi & Tiziana Cena & Silvio Borrè & Fabrizio Faggiano, 2021. "High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers in a North Italy Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3343-:d:523060
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Albert Nienhaus, 2021. "COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany—An Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, August.
    2. 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.
    3. Anja Schablon & Volker Harth & Claudia Terschüren & Olaf Kleinmüller & Claudia Wohlert & Claudia Schnabel & Thomas Theo Brehm & Julian Schulze zur Wiesch & Jan Felix Kersten & Albert Nienhaus, 2023. "Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Employees in Outpatient Care Services in Hamburg," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Luca Coppeta & Cristiana Ferrari & Andrea Mazza & Marco Trabucco Aurilio & Stefano Rizza, 2021. "Factors Associated with Pre-Vaccination SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk among Hospital Nurses Facing COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-7, December.
    5. Stefania Paduano & Pasquale Galante & Nausicaa Berselli & Luca Ugolotti & Alberto Modenese & Alessandro Poggi & Marcella Malavolti & Sara Turchi & Isabella Marchesi & Roberto Vivoli & Paola Perlini & , 2022. "Seroprevalence Survey of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Population of Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.

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