Study of Seroprevalence of SARS COV 2 antibody in healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital

Aaliya Mohi Ud Din Azad; Shivani Upadhyay; Mehvish Mushtaq; Shahid Majid; Khurshid Ahmad Dar; Mohd Yousoof Dar; NAVEED NAZIR SHAH

doi:10.33883/jms.v24i2.830

Aaliya Mohi Ud Din Azad Chest Disease Government Hospital, Srinagar Kashmir
Shivani Upadhyay Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir
Mehvish Mushtaq Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir
Shahid Majid Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir
Khurshid Ahmad Dar Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir
Mohd Yousoof Dar Govt Chest Disease Hospital,Srinagar
NAVEED NAZIR SHAH GMC SRINAGAR

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33883/jms.v24i2.830

Keywords: Covid 19, Seroprevalence, Healthcare worker, RTPCR, occupational health risk

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Coronavirus disease 2019, emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, and has led to a global pandemic. The majority of the cases are diagnosed based on RT-PCR. However, the exact number of cases remains unknown. The disease can also manifest in the form of asymptomatic or mild disease. SARS-CoV-2 poses an occupational health risk to healthcare workers (HCW) in direct or indirect contact with positive patients. Low sensitivity of microbiological tests leads to underestimation of the actual number of cases. Detection of antibodies can help in the identification of missed cases. Very few studies have been conducted so far regarding the seroprevalence of antibodies among health care workers.

Aim: Aim of the study is to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in a tertiary care center to determine undetected previous COVID-19 infections among them.

Method: Study was conducted in a tertiary center in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir, India) designated for COVID-19 in the months between June 2020 and November 2020 after prior ethical committee approval. Participation was voluntary and participants were tested twice for SARS–CoV-2 antibodies 3 months and 7 months of exposure, irrespective of their previous infection history. Electro Chemiluminescence (ECL) was used for serological testing.

Result: 198 out of 240 total HCWs in the hospital participated in this study. Seroprevalence among HCW after three months of exposure was found to be nil. However, 5(2.5%) participants were RTPCR positive till June 2020. After 7 month of exposure, the seroprevalence was 31.3%. 25.8% of the seropositive HCW were symptomatic at some point and 74.2% were asymptomatic. Out of 198, 43.4% got tested for COVID -19 during this course and 15.2% have had confirmed COVID-19 infection till November.

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 poses an occupational health risk to Healthcare workers. Many healthcare workers got infected with SARS- CoV-2 despite using proper PPE. They are at high risk of infection themselves and can be a source of spread in the community. Asymptomatic HCW can pose a threat to the community and co-workers as they may have an undetectable subclinical infection. Healthcare workers should be educated and trained in proper donning and doffing of PPE, and proper handwashing and sanitization. Double masking and using knotted/tucked mask can improve mask performance. Extra vigilance even outside the hospital or their area of duty should be maintained. Stricter precautions, regular testing, and complete proper vaccination are required to avoid infection and transmission.

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Author Biographies

Aaliya Mohi Ud Din Azad, Chest Disease Government Hospital, Srinagar Kashmir

MD Pulmonary Medicine, Senior Resident

Shivani Upadhyay, Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir

MBBS, DNB, Junior Resident

Mehvish Mushtaq, Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir

MBBS,MD, Junior Resident

Shahid Majid, Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir

MBBS, MD, Junior Resident

Khurshid Ahmad Dar, Chest Disease Government Hospital,Srinagar Kashmir

MBBS, MD, Professor

Mohd Yousoof Dar, Govt Chest Disease Hospital,Srinagar

MBBS, M.D, DM , Consultant Pulmonologist

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