COVID-19 infection and seroconversion rates in healthcare workers in Lebanon: An observational study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is a recent pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCW) are at high risk of acquiring the infection and transmitting it to others. Seroprevalence for COVID-19 among HCW varies between countries, hospitals in the same country and even among different departments in the same hospital. In this study, we aim to determine the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies and the seroconversion among the HCW in our hospital. A total of 203 HCW were included. The rate of conversion to seropositive was 19.7% in total, with a rate of 13.4% in female versus 25% in male. The seropositivity in the House keeping group was 83%, followed by 45% in the COVID Floor while the seropositivity in the Anesthesia was 4% and the Infection Control 0%. The highest seropositivity rate in the COVID floor, and in the intensive care unit was explained by the long time spent with the patients. While in the inhalation team and the anesthesia, the lower rates of seropositivity was due to the N95 mask wearing the whole time. Seropositivity for COVID-19 in HCW is a major public health concern. Policies should be implemented to better protect HCWs.

Intravenous high dose vitamin C and selected antiviral drugs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a descriptive cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: There is lack of universal agreement on the management of COVID-19. Intravenous high dose vitamin C (HDVC), remdesivir (RDV), and favipiravir (FPV) have been suggested as part of the treatment regimens and only RDV is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so far. There is no study in Lebanon that addresses the descriptive cohort of HDVC and antiviral therapy amongst COVID-19 inpatients. Our goal was to highlight such a cohort. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective electronic chart review of COVID-19 inpatients was done over a period of 10 months (August 2020 to April 2021). Comparative data analysis was performed between HDVC and non-HDVC (NHDVC) groups, and RDV and FPV groups. RESULTS: Among HDVC patients, 70.1% (p = 0.035) and 67.2% (p = 0.008) had dyspnea and desaturation respectively. Patients on HDVC were less likely to remain in hospital for more than 20 days (p = 0.003). HDVC patients were more likely to be on oxygen therapy with 74.7% (p = 0.002). RDV patients were more likely to be on other COVID-19-related medications during hospitalization including the use of tofacitinib, baricitinib, tocilizumab, and anticoagulation as recommended in the guidelines. Statistical significance was noted for the status on discharge as 90.1% of the patients that received RDV were discharged after clinical improvement, compared to the 74.2% of the FPV patients. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to establish local guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19. A significant role of HDVC and FPV might resurface if randomized control trials are conducted.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody seroprevalence in Lebanon: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The World Health Organization has promoted the use of serological testing as a rapid and accurate technique for the detection of immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In Lebanon, a better understanding of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is needed to develop effective measures for prevention and to plan an appropriate national vaccination program. This study aimed to measure the immunity status in Lebanon. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the population comprised male and female Lebanese and non-Lebanese residents of Lebanon between the ages 15 and 75. The exclusion criteria included: same household, symptomatic individuals, and extremes of age (< 15 and > 75). Representative testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay/ECLIA) was used to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lebanon. Results: In total, 13 755 participants were recruited over a 6-month period. Of these, 3168 (23.03%) individuals tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2, with levels of positivity varying among districts. A higher level of seropositivity was detected in the female participants. Conclusion: Seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 varied within Lebanon, but was comparable to the levels reported in the MENA region at the time of the study. The seroprevalence documented in this study represents a level of immunity that is not protective at the national level. Funding: This study was funded by the Lebanese American University School of Medicine.