Bir Üniversite Hastanesi Sağlık Çalışanlarında COVID-19 Seroprevalansı

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare workers are at the forefront in the Pandemic war against COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). In this struggle, they have become high-risk by keeping in close con- tact with patients during their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with long working hours. The aim of this study was to contribute to epidemiological data of our country by examining the antibody status of our hospital healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM, COVID-19 ELISA kits were studied from sera samples of healthcare workers in Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital between June 1 and November 30, 2020. Nasopharyngeal swab sam- ples of these persons were also tested with the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 741 healthcare workers included in our study was found to be 17%. Seropositivity was detected in 6.4% (33/515) of the healthcare workers with negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and in 3.9% (5/130) of the healthcare workers who did not have PCR test. Among the healthcare workers, the highest seroprevalence was observed in nurses (39.6%) followed by doctors (%23). Conclusion: It was evaluated that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers is higher than in the population. This study shows that occupational exposure is a risk factor. 3.9% seropositivity was found in healthcare workers who never had a test. Considering that these workers have an asymptomatic or subclinical infection, there is a possible risk for nosocomial transmission. Therefore, healthcare professionals should use personal protective equipment and apply hygiene rules correctly and effectively in infectious diseases, especially during pandemic periods, while working in the hospital.