Predictive factors for the presence and long-term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare and university workers

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 9790 - 8
• Main Authors: Grégoire, Céline, Huynen, Pascale, Gofflot, Stéphanie, Seidel, Laurence, Maes, Nathalie, Vranken, Laura, Delcour, Sandra, Moutschen, Michel, Hayette, Marie-Pierre, Kolh, Philippe, Melin, Pierrette, Beguin, Yves
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 13.06.2022; Nature Publishing Group; Springer Science and Business Media LLC; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/250/2152/2153; 631/250/255/2514; 692/499; 692/699/255/2514; 692/700/3160; Anosmia; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral; Coronaviruses; Cough; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Delivery of Health Care; Disease transmission; Fever; Health Personnel; Healthcare worker; Hematologic Neoplasms; Hematology; Human health sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Immune system; Immunization; Immunodeficiency; Immunologie & maladie infectieuse; Immunology & infectious disease; Malignancy; Medical personnel; multidisciplinary; Multivariate analysis; Myalgia; Olfaction disorders; Pandemics; Patients; Public health, health care sciences & services; Risk factors; Santé publique, services médicaux & soins de santé; SARS-CoV-2; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sciences de la santé humaine; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Seroprevalence; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Solid tumors; Universities
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13450-4

While patient groups at risk for severe COVID-19 infections are now well identified, the risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) transmission and immunization are still poorly understood. In a cohort of staff members of a Belgian tertiary academic hospital tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during the early phase of the pandemic and followed-up after 6 weeks, 3 months and 10 months, we collected personal, occupational and medical data, as well as symptoms based on which we constructed a COVID-19 score. Seroprevalence was higher among participants in contact with patients or with COVID-19 confirmed subjects or, to a lesser extent, among those handling respiratory specimens, as well as among participants reporting an immunodeficiency or a previous or active hematological malignancy, and correlated with several symptoms. In multivariate analysis, variables associated with seropositivity were: contact with COVID-19 patients, immunodeficiency, previous or active hematological malignancy, anosmia, cough, nasal symptoms, myalgia, and fever. At 10 months, participants in contact with patients and those with higher initial COVID-19 scores were more likely to have sustained antibodies, whereas those with solid tumors or taking chronic medications were at higher risk to become seronegative.