Incidence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers in a public health laboratory in Tunisia.

The aim of this study was to measure the extent of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among workers at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis (IPT), a public health laboratory involved in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, and to identify risk factors for infection in this occupational setting. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on IPT workers not vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Participants completed a questionnaire that included a history of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against the receptor-binding domain of the spike antigen (anti-S-RBD IgG) and the nucleocapsid protein (anti-N IgG) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). A multivariate analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 428 workers were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of anti-S-RBD and/or anti-N IgG antibodies was 32.9% [28.7-37.4]. The cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive serology and/or previous positive RT-PCR test) was 40.0% [35.5-44.9], while the proportion with asymptomatic infection was 32.9%. One-third of the participants with RT-PCR-confirmed infection tested seronegative more than 90 days postinfection. Participants aged over 40 and laborers were more susceptible to infection (adjusted OR [AOR] = 1.65 [1.08-2.51] and AOR = 2.67 [1.45-4.89], respectively), while tobacco smokers had a lower risk of infection (AOR = 0.54 [0.29-0.97]). The SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among IPT workers was not significantly different from that detected concurrently in the general population. Hence, the professional activities conducted in this public health laboratory did not generate additional risk to that incurred outside the institute in day-to-day activities.

Burden of Healthcare-associated infections in a Tunisian University Hospital in 2019.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) represent a real threat to patient safety and their prevention should be a priority for any Health system. Prevalence surveys constitute one of the most common methods of HAI epidemiological surveillance to determine the burden of this problem. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HAI and its associated risk factors. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional survey, carried out at Farhat Hached University Hospital in 2019, over a period of nine days including all patients who had been hospitalized for at least 48 hours, in 21 clinical departments of our hospital. A single passage has been carried out by department. RESULTS: Of 373 patients included, a total of 66 patients experienced HAI, with a mean prevalence of 17.7%. In addition, four patients suffered from two types of HAIs. The overall prevalence of HAI in Farhat Hached University Hospital was 19%. Peripheral venous catheter associated infection (41.5%) was the most common type of infections recorded in this survey. Patients admitted to a surgical ward were 4.6 times more likely to acquire HAIs. Patients admitted for more than 7 days were 4.57 times more at risk of developing HAIs. Exposure to peripheral venous catheter, to central venous catheter and to mechanical ventilation were among significant risk factors responsible for HAI with adjusted OR of 4.90, 10.65 and11.99, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of HAI is high at our center. National strategy to address HAI should be implemented for better control of HAIs.