ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaccinations have the potential to significantly lower the burden of disease for many major infections in the high-risk population of hematological and oncological patients. In this regard Shingrix®, an inactivated Varicella Zoster Virus vaccine, received market approval in the European Union in March 2018, after prior US approval in October 2017, and recommendations specifically state immunocompromised, including oncological, patients. As vaccination rates are considered to be poor in oncological patients, determining the current vaccination rates for Shingrix® two years after market approval is important in defining the need for intervention to bring this potentially high-impact vaccine to the patients. METHODS: We analyzed data of the EVO Study to provide data for Herpes zoster vaccination rates in oncological patients. The EVO Study was an interventional study evaluating the potential of increasing vaccination rates of specified must-have vaccinations by an instructional card in the oncological setting. Numbers presented in this publication merged baseline data and follow-up data of the control group; hence data not affected by the intervention. RESULTS: Data of 370 patients were analyzed; 21.1% with hematological malignancies and 78.9% with solid cancer. Only 3.0% were vaccinated with Shingrix®. Patients with hematological malignancy were more likely to be vaccinated than those with solid cancer (7.7 vs. 1.7%). CONCLUSION: Despite clear recommendations and a pressing need in the high-risk population of hematological and oncological patients, the vast majority of patients are still left without vaccine protection against Herpes zoster by Shingrix®.
ABSTRACT
(1) Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are prone to intensified exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the ongoing pandemic. We prospectively analyzed the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs at baseline and follow up with regard to clinical signs and symptoms in two university hospitals in Brandenburg, Germany. (2) Methods: Screening for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies was offered to HCWs at baseline and follow up two months thereafter in two hospitals of Brandenburg Medical School during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany in an ongoing observational cohort study. Medical history and signs and symptoms were recorded by questionnaires and analyzed. (3) Results: Baseline seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA was 11.7% and increased to 15% at follow up, whereas IgG seropositivity was 2.1% at baseline and 2.2% at follow up. The rate of asymptomatic seropositive cases was 39.5%. Symptoms were not associated with general seropositivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2; however, class switch from IgA to IgG was associated with increased symptom burden. (4) Conclusions: The seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was low in HCWs but higher compared to population data and increased over time. Screening for antibodies detected a significant proportion of seropositive participants cases without symptoms.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increasing overload of the medical system. Healthcare workers (HCW) in radiology departments are exposed to a high infection risk similar to HCWs in the ICU or dedicated COVID wards. The goal of our paper is to evaluate the prevalence of IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2 among radiology HCWs in two different hospitals and regions in Germany with a low and high COVID-19 prevalence and to compare it to the prevalence in other clinical personnel. Additionally, we assessed the number of radiological procedures performed in patients with a positive PCR test (C+) followed by a short review of the risk for nosocomial infections of radiology HCWs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the first COVID-19 wave between March and July 2020, we evaluated a region with one of the highest COVID-19 rates (776-1570/100â000) in Germany (Hospital A). Additionally, we assessed Hospital B in a region with a low prevalence (65/100â000). We tested the serum prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among the whole staff with a subgroup analysis for radiology in both hospitals. We calculated the total number of different radiological procedures performed in C+ patients. RESULTS: In Hospital A 594 PCR-proven C+ patients were treated resulting in 2723 radiological procedures. 24â% (nâ=â6) of the radiology technicians and 13.35 (nâ=â2) of radiologists had a positive IgG test. The rates were similar to positive rates in HCWs in COVID-19 wards and ICUs within the hospital. The most frequently performed procedures in C+ patients were chest X-rays (3.17/patient) and CT examinations (1.15/patient). In Hospital B 50 C+ patients were treated, resulting in 64 radiological procedures. None of the HCWs tested IgG positive. The most frequently performed examinations were also chest X-rays (1.04/patient) and CT (0.2/patient). CONCLUSION: HCWs in radiology have a high occupational infection risk similar to that of HCWs in ICUs and dedicated COVID wards. KEY POINTS: · The risk of acquiring COVID-19 increases with the amount of contact with infected individuals.. · The occupational risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection for radiology staff is similar to that of nurses and physicians in COVID wards.. · Hygiene concepts and medical resources have to be adapted for further COVID outbreaks.. · Reporting of an occupational disease can be considered in the case of seropositive staff.. CITATION FORMAT: · Finkenzeller T, Lenhart S, Reinwald M etâal. Risk to Radiology Staff for Occupational COVID-19 Infection in a High-Risk and a Low-Risk Region in Germany: Lessons from the "First Wave". Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 537â-â543.