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Seroprevalence Survey of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Population of Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Stefania Paduano

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Pasquale Galante

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Nausicaa Berselli

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Luca Ugolotti

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Alberto Modenese

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Alessandro Poggi

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Marcella Malavolti

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Sara Turchi

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Isabella Marchesi

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Roberto Vivoli

    (Test Laboratory, 41100 Modena, Italy)

  • Paola Perlini

    (Test Laboratory, 41100 Modena, Italy)

  • Rossana Bellucci

    (Test Laboratory, 41100 Modena, Italy)

  • Fabriziomaria Gobba

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Marco Vinceti

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
    Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Tommaso Filippini

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
    School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
    Both senior authors.)

  • Annalisa Bargellini

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
    Both senior authors.)

Abstract

Italy was the first Western European country to be severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Variations in seroprevalence rates were reported according to geographical and temporal differences of previous surveys, as well as depending on demographic and occupational factors. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population of the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy after the first wave in the period from 26 September 2020–26 March 2021. We included 5128 subjects who voluntarily underwent serological tests to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity, including both self-referred individuals (24.2%) and workers adhering to company screening programs (76.8%). Overall, seroprevalence was 11.3%, higher in self-referred (13.8%) than employed-referred (10.5%) individuals. A slightly higher seroprevalence emerged in women compared to men (12.3% and 10.7%), as well as in the extreme age categories (18.6% for 60–69 years, 18.0% for ≥70 years, and 17.1% for <20 years compared to 7.6% for 20–39 years). Healthcare professionals showed the highest prevalence of seropositivity (22.9%), followed by workers in direct contact with customers, such as the communication, finance, and tourism sectors (15.7%). Overall subgroups seroprevalence increased compared to the first wave data but the trends agreed between the first and subsequent waves, except for an increase in the younger age group and in the sector in direct contact with customers. Among the occupational categories, our study confirms that healthcare workers and workers in the sports sector were at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7882-:d:848933
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sergio Garbarino & Alexander Domnich & Elisabetta Costa & Irene Giberti & Stefano Mosca & Cristiano Belfiore & Fabrizio Ciprani & Giancarlo Icardi, 2021. "Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a Large Cohort of Italian Police Officers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-9, November.
    2. 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.
    3. David McConnell & Conor Hickey & Norma Bargary & Lea Trela-Larsen & Cathal Walsh & Michael Barry & Roisin Adams, 2021. "Understanding the Challenges and Uncertainties of Seroprevalence Studies for SARS-CoV-2," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Chiara Airoldi & Filippo Patrucco & Fulvia Milano & Daniela Alessi & Andrea Sarro & Maicol Andrea Rossi & Tiziana Cena & Silvio Borrè & Fabrizio Faggiano, 2021. "High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers in a North Italy Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, March.
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