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SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Screening in Healthcare Workers in Non-Infectious Hospitals in Two Different Regions of Southern Poland (Upper Silesia and Opole Voivodeships): A Prospective Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Rafał Jakub Bułdak

    (Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland
    Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Elżbieta Woźniak-Grygiel

    (Department of Histology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland)

  • Marta Wąsik

    (Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland)

  • Janusz Kasperczyk

    (Department of Environmental Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana 18, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Ewa Gawrylak-Dryja

    (Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland)

  • Renata Mond-Paszek

    (Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland)

  • Adam Konka

    (Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Karina Badura-Brzoza

    (Department of Psychiatry in Tarnowskie Góry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 42-612 Tarnowskie Góry, Poland)

  • Martyna Fronczek

    (Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
    Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana 38, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Marlena Golec

    (Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Mateusz Lejawa

    (Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
    Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana 38, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Marcin Markiel

    (Intensive Care Unit, Regional Specialised Hospital No. 4 in Bytom, al. Legionów 10, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

  • Sławomir Kasperczyk

    (Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-055 Katowice, Poland)

  • Zenon Brzoza

    (Department of Internal Diseases, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Al. W. Witosa 26, 40-451 Opole, Poland)

Abstract

(1) Background: Detection of asymptomatic or subclinical human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial for understanding the overall prevalence of the new coronavirus and its infection potential in public (non-infectious) healthcare units with emergency wards. (2) Methods: We evaluated the host serologic responses, measured with semi-quantitative ELISA tests (IgA, IgG, IgM abs) in sera of 90 individuals in Hospital no. 4 in Bytom, 84 HCWs in the University Hospital in Opole and 25 in a Miasteczko Śląskie local surgery. All volunteers had negative RT-PCR test results or had not had the RT-PCR test performed within 30 days before sampling. The ELISA test was made at two different time points (July/August 2020) with a 2-weeks gap between blood collections to avoid the “serological window” period. (3) Results: The IgG seropositivity of asymptomatic HCWs varied between 1.2% to 10% (Opole vs. Bytom, p < 0.05; all without any symptoms). IgA seropositivity in HCWs was 8.8% in Opole and 7.14% in Bytom. IgM positive levels in HCWs in Opole and Bytom was 1.11% vs. 2.38%, respectively. Individuals with IgA and IgM seropositivity results were observed only in Opole (1.19%). More studies are needed to determine whether these results are generalizable to other populations and geographic as well as socio-demographic locations. (4) Conclusions: 100% of IgG(+) volunteers were free from any symptoms of infection in the 30 days before first or second blood collection and they had no awareness of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Asymptomatic HCWs could spread SARS-CoV-2 infection to other employees and patients. Only regular HCWs RT-PCR testing can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spreading in a hospital environment. The benefit of combining the detection of specific IgA with that of combined specific IgM/IgG is still uncertain.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafał Jakub Bułdak & Elżbieta Woźniak-Grygiel & Marta Wąsik & Janusz Kasperczyk & Ewa Gawrylak-Dryja & Renata Mond-Paszek & Adam Konka & Karina Badura-Brzoza & Martyna Fronczek & Marlena Golec & Mateu, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Screening in Healthcare Workers in Non-Infectious Hospitals in Two Different Regions of Southern Poland (Upper Silesia and Opole Voivodeships): A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4376-:d:539843
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simone B Schmidt & Ludwig Grüter & Melanie Boltzmann & Jens D Rollnik, 2020. "Prevalence of serum IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among clinic staff," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-8, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maksymilian Gajda & Małgorzata Kowalska & Jan Eugeniusz Zejda, 2021. "Impact of Two Different Recruitment Procedures (Random vs. Volunteer Selection) on the Results of Seroepidemiological Study (SARS-CoV-2)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-9, September.
    2. Izabela Korona-Głowniak & Michał Mielnik & Martyna Podgajna & Ewelina Grywalska & Marek Hus & Katarzyna Matuska & Beata Wojtysiak-Duma & Dariusz Duma & Andrzej Glowniak & Anna Malm, 2022. "SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers before the Vaccination in Poland: Evolution from the First to the Second Pandemic Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.

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