Abstract
BackgroundCountries across the globe have mobilized their armed forces in response to COVID-19, placing them at increased risk for viral exposure. Humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 among military personnel serve as biomarkers of infection and provide a basis for disease surveillance and recognition of work-related risk factors.MethodsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen-specific IgG in serum obtained from N = 988 US National Guard soldiers between April-June 2020. Occupational information, e.g. military operating specialty (MOS) codes, and demographic data were obtained via questionnaire. Plaque assays with live SARS-CoV-2 were used to assess serum neutralizing capacity for limited subjects (N = 12).ResultsThe SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity rate among the study population was 10.3% and significantly associated with occupation and demographics. Odds ratios were highest for those working in MOS 2T-Transportation (3.6; 95% CI 0.7–18) and 92F-Fuel specialist/ground and aircraft (6.8; 95% CI 1.5–30), as well as black race (2.2; 95% CI 1.2–4.1), household size ≥6 (2.5; 95% CI 1.3–4.6) and known COVID-19 exposure (2.0; 95% CI 1.2–3.3). Seropositivity tracked along major interstate highways and clustered near the international airport and the New York City border. SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG+ serum exhibited low to moderate SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing capacity with IC50s ranging from 1:15 to 1:280. In limited follow-up testing SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG levels remained elevated up to 7 months.ConclusionsThe data highlight increased SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among National Guard vs. the local civilian population in association with transportation-related occupations and specific demographics.
Highlights
The armed forces of most countries play an important role in national/local disasters and emergencies as well as in response to military threats
Odds ratios were highest for those working in military operating specialty (MOS) 2T-Transportation (3.6; 95% CI 0.7–18) and 92F-Fuel specialist/ ground and aircraft (6.8; 95% CI 1.5–30), as well as black race (2.2; 95% CI 1.2–4.1), household size 6 (2.5; 95% CI 1.3–4.6) and known COVID-19 exposure (2.0; 95% CI 1.2–3.3)
Seropositivity tracked along major interstate highways and clustered near the international airport and the New York City border
Summary
The armed forces of most countries play an important role in national/local disasters and emergencies as well as in response to military threats. Countries across the globe have mobilized their armed forces in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, placing them at increased risk for viral exposure [1,2,3]. The National Guard of United States (US) Military is the division responsible for protecting civilians in the homeland, with each state/territory maintaining its own troops. To assist in the COVID-19 pandemic, governors across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C. deployed their local Army/Air National Guard Units [9]. Countries across the globe have mobilized their armed forces in response to COVID-19, placing them at increased risk for viral exposure. Humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 among military personnel serve as biomarkers of infection and provide a basis for disease surveillance and recognition of work-related risk factors
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