Underascertainment of COVID-19 cases among first responders: a seroepidemiological study.
Occup Med (Lond)
; 72(3): 225-228, 2022 04 19.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34882771
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Providing frontline support places first responders at a high risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.AIMS:
This study was aimed to determine the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of first responders (i.e. firefighters/paramedics), to detect the underascertainment rate and to assess risk factors associated with seropositivity.METHODS:
We conducted a serological survey among 745 first responders in Germany during 27 November and 4 December 2020 to determine the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence using Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). As part of the examination, participants were asked to provide information on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-like-symptoms, information on sociodemographic characteristics and workplace risk factors for a SARS-CoV-2 infection and any prior COVID-19 infection. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed and seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity.RESULTS:
The test-adjusted seroprevalence was 4% (95% CI 3.1-6.2) and the underascertainment rate was 2.3. Of those tested SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive, 41% were aware that they had been infected in the past. Seropositivity was elevated among paramedics who worked in the emergency rescue team providing first level of pre-hospital emergency care (6% [95% CI 3.4-8.6]) and those directly exposed to a COVID-19 case (5% [95% CI 3.5-8.1]). Overall, the seroprevalence and the underascertainment rate were higher among first responders than among the general population.CONCLUSIONS:
The high seroprevalence and underascertainment rate highlight the need to mitigate potential transmission within and between first responders and patients. Workplace control measures such as increased and regular COVID-19-testing and the prompt vaccination of all personnel are necessary.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Socorristas
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Med (Lond)
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha