IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i13p7057-d587064.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center

Author

Listed:
  • Lionel Larribère

    (Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Jelizaveta Gordejeva

    (GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Lisa Kuhnhenn

    (Institute of Laboratory Medicine, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Maximilian Kurscheidt

    (GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Monika Pobiruchin

    (GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Dilyana Vladimirova

    (Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Maria Martin

    (Institute for Infection Prevention and Clinical Hygiene, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Markus Roser

    (Institute of Laboratory Medicine, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Wendelin Schramm

    (GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Hochschule Heilbronn, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Uwe M. Martens

    (Cancer Center Heilbronn-Franken, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

  • Tatjana Eigenbrod

    (Institute of Laboratory Medicine, SLK Clinics Heilbronn GmbH, 74078 Heilbronn, Germany)

Abstract

To date, more than 160 million people have been infected with COVID-19 worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 3067 healthcare workers (HCW) in a German COVID-19 treatment center during the early phase of the pandemic (July 2020) based on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and self-reported previous PCR results. The results demonstrate a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection ( n = 107 [3.5%]) with no increased risk for employees with a high level of patient exposure in general or working in COVID-19-confined areas in particular. This suggests that the local hygiene standards implemented in our hospital during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic were effective in preventing patient-to-HCW transmission. No evidence for highly mobile staff serving as a vector for SARS-CoV-2 transmission could be found. In addition, impairment of smell and/or taste was strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 history.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7057-:d:587064
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7057/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7057/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    2. Johannes Korth & Benjamin Wilde & Sebastian Dolff & Jasmin Frisch & Michael Jahn & Adalbert Krawczyk & Mirko Trilling & Leonie Schipper & Sebastian Cordes & Birgit Ross & Monika Lindemann & Andreas Kr, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers in Germany: A Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Nicola Magnavita & Giovanni Tripepi & Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio, 2020. "Symptoms in Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Epidemic. A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Bartosz Dalewski & Lukasz Palka & Paweł Kiczmer & Ewa Sobolewska, 2021. "The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Polish Dental Community’s Standards of Care—A Six-Month Retrospective Survey-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Antonella De Donno & Giambattista Lobreglio & Alessandra Panico & Tiziana Grassi & Francesco Bagordo & Maria Pia Bozzetti & Serafina Massari & Luisa Siculella & Fabrizio Damiano & Francesco Guerra & M, 2021. "IgM and IgG Profiles Reveal Peculiar Features of Humoral Immunity Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, February.
    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.
    7. Jannie Laursen & Janne Petersen & Maria Didriksen & Kasper Iversen & Henrik Ullum, 2021. "Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM Antibodies among Danish and Swedish Falck Emergency and Non-Emergency Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-10, January.
    8. Francesco Napolitano & Gabriella Di Giuseppe & Maria Vittoria Montemurro & Anna Maria Molinari & Giovanna Donnarumma & Antonio Arnese & Maria Pavia & Italo Francesco Angelillo, 2021. "Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Adults and Healthcare Workers in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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.
    2. Jianlin Ren & Shasha Duan & Leihong Guo & Hongwan Li & Xiangfei Kong, 2022. "Effects of Return Air Inlets’ Location on the Control of Fine Particle Transportation in a Simulated Hospital Ward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Nicola Magnavita & Paolo Maurizio Soave & Massimo Antonelli, 2021. "Prolonged Stress Causes Depression in Frontline Workers Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in a COVID-19 Hub-Hospital in Central Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Sultan Ayoub Meo & Joud Mohammed Alkhalifah & Nouf Faisal Alshammari & Wejdan Saud Alnufaie, 2021. "Comparison of Generalized Anxiety and Sleep Disturbance among Frontline and Second-Line Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    5. Cristina Civilotti & Daniela Acquadro Maran & Sergio Garbarino & Nicola Magnavita, 2022. "Hopelessness in Police Officers and Its Association with Depression and Burnout: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Maria Rosaria Gualano & Tiziana Sinigaglia & Giuseppina Lo Moro & Stefano Rousset & Agnese Cremona & Fabrizio Bert & Roberta Siliquini, 2021. "The Burden of Burnout among Healthcare Professionals of Intensive Care Units and Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, August.
    7. 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.
    8. César Fernández-de-las-Peñas & Domingo Palacios-Ceña & Víctor Gómez-Mayordomo & María L. Cuadrado & Lidiane L. Florencio, 2021. "Defining Post-COVID Symptoms (Post-Acute COVID, Long COVID, Persistent Post-COVID): An Integrative Classification," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    9. Nicola Magnavita & Paolo Maurizio Soave & Massimo Antonelli, 2021. "A One-Year Prospective Study of Work-Related Mental Health in the Intensivists of a COVID-19 Hub Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    10. Ying Yang & Yanan Xiao & Yulu Liu & Qiong Li & Changshuo Shan & Shulin Chang & Philip H.-S. Jen, 2021. "Mental Health and Psychological Impact on Students with or without Hearing Loss during the Recurrence of the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-28, February.
    11. Rosa M Cárdaba-García & Lucia Pérez Pérez & Virtudes Niño Martín & Inés Cárdaba-García & Carlos Durantez-Fernández & Elena Olea, 2021. "Evaluation of the Risk of Anxiety and/or Depression during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Central Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, May.
    12. Kellyann Berube Kowalski & Alex Aruldoss & Bhuvaneswari Gurumurthy & Satyanarayana Parayitam, 2022. "Work-From-Home Productivity and Job Satisfaction: A Double-Layered Moderated Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    13. 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.
    14. Rodolfo Buselli & Martina Corsi & Sigrid Baldanzi & Martina Chiumiento & Elena Del Lupo & Valerio Dell'Oste & Carlo Antonio Bertelloni & Gabriele Massimetti & Liliana Dell’Osso & Alfonso Cristaudo & C, 2020. "Professional Quality of Life and Mental Health Outcomes among Health Care Workers Exposed to Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    15. Nicola Magnavita & Paolo Maurizio Soave & Massimo Antonelli, 2022. "Treating Anti-Vax Patients, a New Occupational Stressor—Data from the 4th Wave of the Prospective Study of Intensivists and COVID-19 (PSIC)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    16. Anna Turska-Szybka & Maria Prokopczyk & Piotr Winkielman & Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk, 2021. "Knowledge and Attitude of Polish Dental Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
    17. Martina Capuzzo & Gian Luca Viganò & Cinzia Boniotti & Lucia Maria Ignoti & Claudia Duri & Veronica Cimolin, 2022. "Impact of the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Acquisition of Goods and Services in the Italian Health System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-17, February.
    18. Nicola Magnavita & Gabriele Arnesano & Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio & Martina Gasbarri & Igor Meraglia & Marco Merella & Maria Eugenia Vacca, 2023. "Post-COVID Symptoms in Occupational Cohorts: Effects on Health and Work Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-13, April.
    19. Prerna Varma & Malisa Burge & Hailey Meaklim & Moira Junge & Melinda L. Jackson, 2021. "Poor Sleep Quality and Its Relationship with Individual Characteristics, Personal Experiences and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-14, June.
    20. Antonio Javier Expósito-Delgado & Verónica Ausina-Márquez & María Victoria Mateos-Moreno & Elena Martínez-Sanz & María del Carmen Trullols-Casas & María Eulalia Llamas-Ortuño & José María Blanco-Gonzá, 2021. "Delivery of Health Care by Spanish Dental Hygienists in Private and Public Dental Services during the COVID-19 De-Escalation Phase (June 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7057-:d:587064. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.