Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody in Healthcare Workers: A Report From Rafsanjan City

authors:

avatar Mahnaz Tashakori 1 , avatar Ahmad Jamalizadeh 2 , avatar Mohsen Nejad-Ghaderi 2 , avatar Maryam Hadavi 3 , avatar Aliakbar Yousefi-Ahmadipour 1 , avatar fatemeh mohseni moghadam 1 , avatar Athareh Soresrafil 1 , avatar mashayekhi mashayekhi 4 , *

Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Department of Anesthesiology, Paramedical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Journal of Inflammatory Diseases: Vol.25, issue 4; 203-210
article type: issue_documents_importer

how to cite: Tashakori M, Jamalizadeh A, Nejad-Ghaderi M, Hadavi M, Yousefi-Ahmadipour A, et al. Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody in Healthcare Workers: A Report From Rafsanjan City. J Inflamm Dis. 2022;25(4):e156295. 

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have a high risk of catching SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seroprevalence studies can provide related data on HCWs with a history of infections. Despite numerous seroepidemiological reports of COVID-19 in different groups, there are no such reports for HCWs working in Rafsanjan City, Iran. This study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among HCWs. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 295 participants, including healthcare personnel and administrative staff. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody was measured by the ELISA method, and the obtained data were analyzed with the Chi-square test and logistic regression. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The previous exposure to COVID-19 was higher in HCWs than in administrative department staff. Fifteen out of 130 (11.5%) participants had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection without any symptoms. The results of logistic regression indicated that traveling (OR: 018, 95% CI: 0.08–0.74, P=0.001), occupation (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.01–0.94, P<0.05), history of respiratory problems (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.01–1.94, P<0.05), and major clinical signs (OR: 8.09, 95% CI: 3.7-17.66, P<0.001) are important factors which affect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.  Conclusion: Our results indicated an occupational risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. Because some HCWs are asymptomatic, their communication, such as traveling, must be controlled, and it is necessary to ensure the safety of HCWs and reduce their transfer to the community and patients.