SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study at a quaternary healthcare center in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Healthcare Workers (HCWs). METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study among 3644 HCWs at King Saud Medical City (KSMC) during the last two weeks of December 2020. A Google form survey was used to collect data on demographics, underlying health conditions, job duties, infection control competencies, COVID-19 exposure history, symptoms, and confirmed infections. FINDINGS: 26.5% demonstrated seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 10-fold higher than the national seroprevalence (2.36) conducted in May 2020. Seropositivity was significantly higher among non-Saudi HCWs and participants who lived outside the hospital dormitory p < 0.0001 and 0.01, respectively). Seropositivity was significantly higher among HCWs who worked on clinical areas of high exposure level, and those who spent longer duration working with patients with COVID-19; p = 0.002 and 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs can go unrecognized, which magnifies the importance of complying with universal masking and social distancing directives. Detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in HCWs can help healthcare leaders in considering staff allocations and assignments accordingly.

Characteristics of healthcare workers with COVID-19: A retrospective descriptive study in a quaternary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical presentation of Healthcare Workers (HCWs) affected by COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at King Saud Medical City (KSMC), Saudi Arabia (KSA). All KSMC employees who acquired COVID-19 between March 22nd to July 15th, 2020 have been included. Their data has been anonymously analyzed. FINDINGS: During the study period, among the 12000 HCWs working at KSMC, 9.75% tested positive for COVID-19. The source of HCWs infections was mainly community acquired (85%) which included incidences of transmission in hospital dormitories. Transmission among coworkers was the main source of hospital acquired incidences. Direct patient care was reported in 99.8% of study subjects among the high-risk areas, compared to 3.4% in low-risk areas (p-value <0.001), 12-h shifts were more common in the medium and high-risk areas, and at least one symptom was reported by 93.1% of HCWs in high-risk areas compared to 81.6% in low-risk areas (p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: In KSA, for HCWs, reducing lapses in compliance with masking in non-patient care areas should be considered. In KSA the role that hospital dormitories play in the community transmission of COVID-19 among HCWs need further studies.

Burkholderia cepacia complex outbreaks among non-cystic fibrosis patients in the intensive care units: A review of adult and pediatric literature.

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in moist environments and soil. Bcc species are associated with many outbreaks in intensive care units (ICUs). In this review, we describe the sources of Bcc outbreaks among non-cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in various ICUs that include neonatal intensive care units, pediatric intensive care units and adult ICUs. Also we summarize the risk factors and outcome predictors of Bcc infection or colonization in non-CF critically ill patients. Finally, we describe the infection control measures that are used to manage and prevent the spread of Bcc outbreaks. PubMed was searched from 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2017. We found 30 outbreaks of Bcc among non-cystic fibrosis patients in ICUs; 17 outbreaks occurred in adult ICUs. The source was identified in 22 outbreaks. B. cepacia was the most common Bcc species causing outbreaks in ICUs; it was detected in 21 outbreaks. Indwelling central lines, presence of renal failure on hemodialysis, multiple bronchoscopic procedures, and recent abdominal surgery are independently associated with the development of B. cepacia bacteremia, while prolonged duration on a mechanical ventilator, a large number of nebulized albuterol therapies delivered, and prescription of beta-lactam, aztreonam, or macrolide-vancomycin antibiotics are risk factors for respiratory tract acquisition of B. cepacia. Disease severity and age were the main significant independent predictors of 14-day mortality in adult ventilated non-CF patients with Bcc acquisition. Bcc species have been linked to many outbreaks in non-CF patients in ICUs. Strict application of infection control standards is critical to limit the emergence and spread of Bcc in ICU settings.