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Detection of IgM, IgG and SARS-CoV-2 RNA among the personnel of the University of Milan, March through May 2020: the UNICORN study.
Milani, Gregorio Paolo; Rota, Federica; Favero, Chiara; Dioni, Laura; Manenti, Alessandro; Hoxha, Mirjam; Pariani, Elena; Albetti, Benedetta; Pesatori, Angela Cecilia; Montomoli, Emanuele; Bollati, Valentina.
  • Milani GP; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Rota F; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Favero C; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Dioni L; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Manenti A; VisMederi Research, Milan, Italy.
  • Hoxha M; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Pariani E; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Albetti B; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Pesatori AC; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
  • Montomoli E; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
  • Bollati V; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy valentina.bollati@unimi.it.
BMJ Open ; 11(3): e046800, 2021 03 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1150238
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

In Italy, the pandemic of COVID-19 resulted in congestion of hospitals and laboratories and probably determined an underestimation of the number of infected subjects, as the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was mainly performed on hospitalised patients. Therefore, limited data are available about the number of asymptomatic/paucisymptomatic subjects in the general population across time. To understand SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population, we have developed a cross-sectional study (the 'UNIversity against CORoNavirus study') to investigate infection trends in asymptomatic/paucisymptomatic subjects in Milan (Italy), between March and June 2020.

PARTICIPANTS:

The study population included 2023 subjects asymptomatic at the enrolment. PRIMARY OUTCOME

MEASURES:

A nasal mid-turbinate swab for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and blood specimen for testing serum antibodies (immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG) were collected.

RESULTS:

Subjects showing positivity for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA and/or for anti-SARS-CoV-2 Ig is 237 (11.7%). Only 1.2% (n=25) of the total population had a positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 and the large majority (21/25) of them were observed in March. A total of 226 subjects (11%) had IgM (n=19; 0.9%), IgG (n=155; 7.7%) or both (n=52; 2.6%) against SARS-CoV-2. Subjects with a present or past SARS-CoV-2 infection did not differ from other subjects as regards the number of cohabiting family members, travels, fever and upper and lower respiratory infection episodes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results from the present study support the hypothesis that the actual spread of the virus in Lombardy was underestimated in the official records. However, as it is not known how long Ig persist, numbers should be taken cautiously.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Immunoglobulin G / Immunoglobulin M / RNA, Viral / COVID-19 Serological Testing / COVID-19 / Antibodies, Viral Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMJ Open Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjopen-2020-046800

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Immunoglobulin G / Immunoglobulin M / RNA, Viral / COVID-19 Serological Testing / COVID-19 / Antibodies, Viral Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMJ Open Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjopen-2020-046800