SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and antibodies persistence among health care workers after the first COVID-19 wave in nine hospitals in Western France.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence rate in healthcare workers (HCWs) from Western France after the first 2020 wave, its determinants and the kinetics of total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 9,453 HCWs responded to a self-questionnaire and underwent a lateral flow immunoassay to assess SARS-CoV-2 IgG presence. For 72 HCWs who tested positive, total anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were assessed at day 0, 30, and 90. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence rate was 1.06 % [0.86 %-1.27 %]. Factors associated with IgG presence were gender, performing upper respiratory tract samples, contact with HCWs or household members diagnosed with COVID-19. Total antibodies decreased between day 0 and day 90, with anosmia or ageusia, and were higher in HCWs older than 50 years. CONCLUSION: We reported a low prevalence rate of IgG and identified several risk factors associated with its presence and persistence of total antibodies. Additional studies are needed to confirm these observations.

Determinants of the willingness to get the third COVID-19 vaccine dose among health care workers.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the willingness to get the third COVID-19 vaccine dose among health care workers (HCWs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire proposed on a voluntary basis to all HCWs of a French teaching hospital in October and November 2021. RESULTS: Of 1,655 HCWs who completed the questionnaire, 64.2% were willing to receive the third dose, 20.1% were hesitant, and 15.7% were reluctant. On multivariate analysis, older age (P<0.0001), medical and executive staff, willingness to receive the flu vaccine (OR=5.72 [4.24-7.64]), previous vaccine scheme with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) (OR=2.13 [1.58-2.87]), and history of COVID-19 with a complete COVID-19 vaccine scheme (OR=2.77 [1.04-7.41]) were independent predictors of HCWs' willingness to get the third dose. CONCLUSIONS: One third of HCWs were hesitant or opposed to a third COVID-19 vaccine dose. Better knowledge of determinants of the willingness to get this third dose may improve communication and vaccine strategy.

Herpesvirus reactivation during severe COVID-19 and high rate of immune defect.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed herpesvirus reactivation in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Retrospective study including consecutive patients admitted to an onco-hematology intensive care unit (ICU) for severe COVID-19. Replication of EBV, CMV, and HSV was evaluated. Competing risk analyses were used to assess the cumulative risk of viral reactivation, and time-dependent Cox and Fine and Gray models to assess risk factors for viral reactivation. RESULTS: Among 100 patients, 38 were immunocompromised. Sixty-three patients presented viral reactivation (12% for HSV, 58% EBV and 19% CMV). Symptomatic patients received treatment. Overall cumulative incidence of viral reactivation was 56.1% [55.9-56.4] at 10 days. After adjustment, a preexisting hematological malignancy (sHR [95%CI]=0.31 [0.11-0.85]) and solid organ transplantation (sHR [95% CI]=2.09 [1.13-3.87]) remained independently associated with viral reactivation. Viral reactivation (P=0.34) was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of herpesvirus reactivation in patients admitted to the ICU for severe COVID-19 was high, but rarely required antiviral treatment.