RESUMEN
Background: Serological studies can demonstrate pathogen circulation in regional populations and reflect public health mea-sures' effectiveness during different pandemic phases. By late November 2021, coinciding with the third pandemic wave, the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies among the Iranian population was 32.63%. Objective(s): This study aimed to assess the Iranian population's seroprevalence during the fifth pandemic wave by analyzing donated blood samples. Method(s): This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian blood donors referred to all 31 main provincial capitals between August 2021 and September 2021. The participants selected through quota sampling were asked to complete a questionnaire on socio-demographics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related information. Also, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies were measured in serum samples using SARS-CoV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The seroprevalence was weighted based on the gender and age groups of the population and then adjusted for test performance. Result(s): Totally 3,339 blood donors participated in this study. The overall population-weighted seroprevalence adjusted for test performance was 52.67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.14-55.21). Seroprevalence was higher among participants with a high school diploma (55.45%, 95% CI 50.61-60.29), a positive history of close contact with COVID-19 patients (65.23%, 95% CI 60.83-69.63), and previous positive COVID-19 PCR tests (86.51%, 95% CI 82.32-90.7). Conclusion(s): More than half of the study population was exposed to SARS-CoV-2, indicating a 1.7-fold increase in the seroprevalence between late November 2020 and mid-September 2021. Our finding illuminated the pattern of Iran's fifth wave of the pandemic.Copyright © 2023, Author(s).
RESUMEN
Background: The patients with COVID-19 disease are at high risk for thrombosis. More aggressive thromboprophylaxis anticoagulation are considered in these patients. Several reports indicates a higher HIT incidence in the patients with COVID-19 than other medical patients, Aims: We conducted this study to evaluate the frequency of HIT among patients with COVID-19 in comparison with non-COVID- 19 patients. Method(s): The study population included patients who referred to the Iranian blood transfusion organization (IBTO) reference coagulation laboratory for anti-PF4/ H Ab testing (LFIA method, STic EXPERT, STAGO) during a 30 months period before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. On 19 February 2020, Iran reported its first confirmed cases of infections in Qom. The patients have been divided into three groups: Group1, Sep 2019-Feb 2020 (before COVID-19 pandemic in Iran), group 2: March 2020-Aug 2020 (the first and second peaks), group 3: Sep2020-Feb 2021 (the third and fourth peaks). The demographic data;4Ts score, Anti PF4-Ab (LIFA), and HIPA test results were evaluated. The HIPA test was checked in cases with the positive result of LFIA test. Result(s): A total number of 110 patients have been referred for anti- PF4 Ab testing to our laboratory center during a 30 months period with the detail in table 1and 2. The rate of positive LFIA was 10 % and 33% in the non-Covid- 19 and Covid-19 patients respectively (OR = 4.1%, 95% CI, P-value: 0.022). HIPA test was assessed in 4 cases of Covid-19 and all were positive (definitive HIT). Conclusion(s): Among 110 referral cases in 30 months period who were referred for Anti PF4/H Ab testing to our lab, 94 ( 85%) of cases were referred during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic in Iran. Regarding the rate of definite HIT (>=16%) among Covid-19 patients, our data confirm the high rate of HIT in this group of patients. (Table Presented).