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SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers before the Vaccination in Poland: Evolution from the First to the Second Pandemic Outbreak

Author

Listed:
  • Izabela Korona-Głowniak

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

  • Michał Mielnik

    (Department of Hematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland)

  • Martyna Podgajna

    (Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

  • Ewelina Grywalska

    (Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

  • Marek Hus

    (Department of Hematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Matuska

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

  • Beata Wojtysiak-Duma

    (Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

  • Dariusz Duma

    (Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

  • Andrzej Glowniak

    (Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
    Clinical Department of Electrocardiology, SPSK-4 University Hospital, 20-090 Lublin, Poland)

  • Anna Malm

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland)

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the frontline, struggling with the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To describe recent or past infections, the serological assays enabled the assessment of the immune response developed in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the period when testing was hardly available. In this study, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in HCWs in a Polish teaching hospital and the Regional Occupational Medicine Center after both the first and the second waves. ELISA-based tests for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG were used to determine immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in volunteer HCWs who worked in those institutions in May 2020 (208 participants aged 47.1 ± 12.5, 88% women) and in December 2020 (179 participants aged 45.2 ± 12.4, 86% woman). Risk factors for seropositivity were also assessed using a questionnaire filled out by all participants. We reported a significant increase in seroprevalence after the second wave (22.9%) compared with the first outbreak (2.4%) (OR 12.1; 95%CI 4.6–31.3; p < 0.0001). An association between IgG seroprevalence and severity of infections was noted. Furthermore, we demonstrated that amongst medical personnel, nurses exhibited a proportionally higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Moreover, given the high seroprevalence in non-clinical group of HCWs, we suggest that community transmission can play a superior role to workplace exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2319-:d:751886
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    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. Rafał Jakub Bułdak & Elżbieta Woźniak-Grygiel & Marta Wąsik & Janusz Kasperczyk & Ewa Gawrylak-Dryja & Renata Mond-Paszek & Adam Konka & Karina Badura-Brzoza & Martyna Fronczek & Marlena Golec & Mateu, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Screening in Healthcare Workers in Non-Infectious Hospitals in Two Different Regions of Southern Poland (Upper Silesia and Opole Voivodeships): A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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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