Evaluating the Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibodies in Medical and Administrative Staff at Gerash University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background: In late 2019, a new virus spread in China that led to an acute respiratory disease by lung involvement. The virus spread over time and affected many countries, including Iran. Hospital staff are also at high risk of being infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG class antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers and to compare the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ward staff with other hospital wards. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on medical staff at Gerash University of Medical Sciences. After sampling the participants in this study, the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Demographic and other necessary information about patients were also recorded. Results: Out of 323 staff participating in this study, 130 (40.24%) were in inpatient wards [of which 26 (20%) were in the COVID-19 ward], 55 (17.02%) were in paraclinical wards, and 138 (42.72%) were in administrative wards. A total of 44 (13.6%) patients had anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of antibodies between the three groups, but a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies was observed in the COVID-19 ward subgroup with 6 (23%) positive antibody tests, compared to other wards (P-value = 0.023). Conclusions: Due to the higher prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in staff working in the COVID-19 ward than in other wards, more attention should be paid to health protocols and also emphasis on completing vaccination and monitoring the safety level of staff working in the COVID-19 ward.