Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in health care workers and the associated risk factors during the covid-19 pandemic period at a tertiary care health center in South India

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Original Article

Author Details : Sarwat Fatima*, Ahmed Abdul Bari Hazari, Deepika Handa

Volume : 10, Issue : 4, Year : 2024

Article Page : 329-336

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmmtd.2024.056

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Abstract

Background: Most of the published studies across the globe so far have demonstrated a highly variable seroprevalence rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in health care workers [HCW’s] during the pandemic period. Multiple risk factors were studied that influenced the seropositivity.
Objective: The primary aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in HCW’s in local settings during the pandemic period. The secondary objective was to categorize the HCW’s based on the history of symptoms of covid-19 and also to evaluate the relation between the various risk factors and seropositivity amongst the HCW’s.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional prospective study was conducted on health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Telangana state during the pandemic period between March to April 2021. Following enrollment and verbal consent from the participants descriptive data was collected using a validated questionnaire. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies estimation was done using ELFA technology after obtaining IERB clearance.
Results: Of the 230 enrolled participants 141 [61.30%] fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity in the present study was 48 [34.04%]. Of the 72 [51.06%] symptomatic HCW’s, 19 [26.38%] were seropositive and of the 69 [48.93%] asymptomatic, 29 [42.02%] were seropositive. Among the various risk factors studied none were found to be significantly associated with seropositivity.
Conclusion: in the present study a greater number of asymptomatic HCW’s were found seropositive which could be due to several of the reasons discussed below one being silent transmission of the virus and demands further enquiry into the cause by improved research methodology.
 

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Health care workers, SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, Symptomatic HCW’s, Asymptomatic HCW’s

How to cite : Fatima S, Hazari A A B, Handa D, Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in health care workers and the associated risk factors during the covid-19 pandemic period at a tertiary care health center in South India. IP Int J Med Microbiol Trop Dis 2024;10(4):329-336

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