Abstract
Background This study was conducted to evaluate the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and IgG antibodies among healthcare workers in Guilan. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 503 healthcare workers. Between April and May 2020, blood samples were collected from the healthcare workers of Razi Hospital in Rasht, Guilan, Iran. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection and quantitation of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibodies by using kits made by Pishtaz Teb Company, Tehran, Iran. Results From a total of 503 participants, the result of the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM antibody test was positive in 28 subjects (5.6%) and the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibody test was positive in171 subjects (34%). Participants in the age group of 35–54 years were significantly more likely to have a positive anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody test than the age group of 20–34 years (odds ratio = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.04–2.25, P=0.029). Also, physicians were significantly more likely to have a positive antibody test than office workers (odds ratio = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.04–3.54, P=0.037). The wide range of symptoms was significantly associated with the positive anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody test. The most significant association was observed between fever and a positive anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody test (odds ratio = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.06–4.44, P < 0.001). Conclusion The results of the current study indicated that the seroprevalence of COVID-19 was high among healthcare workers of Guilan Province. It seems that this finding was due to the earlier exposure to COVID-19 and the lack of awareness and preparedness to deal with the pandemic in Iran, compared to other countries.
Highlights
In December 2019, an unknown manifestation of pneumonia was detected in Wuhan, China, by a new virus called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [1,2,3]
E diagnostic method for coronavirus infection, including complete blood count with white blood cell differential, CRP, real-time PCR, and chest radiography, had an important role in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 [12,13,14]. e real-time reverse transcription Journal of Environmental and Public Health polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method could be used to detect COVID-19 from the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab [15]. e coronavirus RNA test was declared as the standard diagnostic test [16]
E comparison of the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies in the current study with some other studies is presented in Table 2. e seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in Rasht was higher than that among healthcare workers in other countries
Summary
In December 2019, an unknown manifestation of pneumonia was detected in Wuhan, China, by a new virus called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [1,2,3]. E diagnostic method for coronavirus infection, including complete blood count with white blood cell differential, CRP, real-time PCR, and chest radiography, had an important role in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 [12,13,14]. Cases of false negatives have been reported, including 2 cases of failure of this test in quarantined patients, and this can cause a serious return of the virus in the infection transmission cycle [17]. Erefore, there is a need for an accurate and rapid testing method, in order to detect the infected patients and asymptomatic carriers rapidly and to prevent the transmission of the disease and ensure timely treatment of patients. Serological analysis is an accurate and efficient method for screening many pathogens, especially specific IgM and IgG antibodies that are detected by ELISA [24, 25]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
