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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 Surveillance Study Over 1 Year

Author

Listed:
  • Anke Hildebrandt

    (St. Vincenz Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine I, 45711 Datteln, Germany
    Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Oktay Hökelekli

    (St. Vincenz Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine I, 45711 Datteln, Germany)

  • Lutz Uflacker

    (St. Vincenz Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine I, 45711 Datteln, Germany)

  • Henrik Rudolf

    (Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany)

  • Michael Paulussen

    (Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik, Witten/Herdecke University, 45711 Datteln, Germany)

  • Sören G. Gatermann

    (National Reference Center for Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany)

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are playing a vital role in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This study investigated how infection spreads within three local hospitals and an associated fire brigade in Germany by testing employees for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies over one year. The three observational periods corresponded to the initial three pandemic waves: first wave: June–September 2020, second wave: October 2020–January 2021, and third wave: February–June 2021. We analysed 3285 serum samples of 1842 employees, which represents 65.7% of all employees. Altogether, 13.2% employees were seropositive: 194/1411 HCWs (13.7%) and 49/431 non-HCWs (11.4%) with a clear increase of seroprevalence from the first (1.1%) to the second (13.2%) and third (29.3%) pandemic wave. HCWs presumably had an additional occupational risk for infection in the second and third wave due to an increase of infection pressure with more COVID-19 patients treated, showing possible weak points in the recommended infection prevention strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2402-:d:753359
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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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    5. Lionel Larribère & Jelizaveta Gordejeva & Lisa Kuhnhenn & Maximilian Kurscheidt & Monika Pobiruchin & Dilyana Vladimirova & Maria Martin & Markus Roser & Wendelin Schramm & Uwe M. Martens & Tatjana Ei, 2021. "Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-11, July.
    6. Katharina Müller & Philipp Girl & Michaela Ruhnke & Mareike Spranger & Klaus Kaier & Heiner von Buttlar & Gerhard Dobler & Johannes P. Borde, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Health Care Workers—A Voluntary Screening Study in a Regional Medical Center in Southern Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-10, April.
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    2. Mireia Utzet & Fernando G. Benavides & Rocío Villar & Andrea Burón & Maria Sala & Luis-Eugenio López & Pau Gomar & Xavier Castells & Pilar Diaz & José María Ramada & Consol Serra, 2022. "Non-Pharmacological Preventive Measures Had an Impact on COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers before the Vaccination Effect: A Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-9, March.

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