Open AccessSeroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies among health-care workers exposed to COVID-19 patients in a large reference hospital, Iran
Author(s) -
Abdol Sattar Pagheh,
Arghavan Asghari,
Khadijeh Abrari Romenjan,
Tahoora Mousavi,
Farshid Abedi,
Arash Ziaee,
Hakime Malakimoghadam,
Masood Ziaee
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
iranian journal of microbiology.
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2008-4447
pISSN - 2008-3289
DOI - 10.18502/ijm.v14i2.9178
Subject(s) - medicine , seroprevalence , covid-19 , antibody , personal protective equipment , health care , emergency medicine , immunology , serology , disease , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economic growth
Background and Objectives: Health care workers (HCWs) are a high-risk group for acquiring and transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Aim of the study was the evaluation of sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a random sample of HCWs at a large acute care hospital in Iran.
Materials and Methods: We collected blood samples of 180 medical staffs from September 22, 2020 to January 26, 2021. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests were used for evaluation of the presence of IgG antibodies. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire, comprising demographics, occupational, the work area, and personal protection data.
Results: Of the 180 HCWs who participated in this study, 44 (24.4%) were seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The percentage of IgG positivity was higher in males than females (P 0.05).
Conclusion: According to this point that the number of COVID-19 cases is still growing rapidly among HCWs. So, the epi- demiological estimate of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major challenge that is needed to prevent the spread of infection in the hospitals.