Prevalence of covid-19 infection and identification of risk factors among asymptomatic healthcare workers: A serosurvey involving multiple hospitals in west bengal

ABSTRACT

Background: The declining trend of COVID-19 infection in India has made healthcare personnel (HCP) and general public lenient about personal-protective-measures. Serosurveys to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV2 IgG antibodies, particularly in high-risk-zones like hospitals can give the real scenario and risk-factors can help prioritise the target population for urgent, effective vacccination. Methods: 1470 consecutive HCP from 4 tertiary-care-hospitals in Kolkata filled a questionnaire and were tested for serum SARS-CoV2-IgG by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The prevalence of SARS-CoV2-IgG among asymptomatic HCPs was studied and the work environment, clinical comorbidities, personal habits and protective measures and pharmacologic prophylaxes were compared between those with and without SARS-CoV2-IgG. Parameters of asymptomatic seroconverters were also compared to those with personal history of COVID-19-Infection. Logistic regression was done to identify independent risk-factors. Results: Prevalence of asymptomatic seroconversion was 15.8%. Asymptomatic seroconverters (n=208) were mostly working in mixed hospitals (having both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards, 57.7%), were non-doctors by profession (nurses-25.1%, others–51.4%). Among asymptomatic HCP, indepedendent positive risk factors for SARS-CoV2 IgG-positivity were Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and multiple comorbidities (pboth <0.001) and prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine and Famotidine (pboth < 0.03). However, for symptomatic COVID-19 infection, working in COVID-19 dedicated hospitals, and personal h/o COPD were positive risk-factors and Ivermectin prophylaxis a negative risk-factor (pall < 0.03). Conclusion:In our study conducted i n the i mmedi ate pre-i mmuni sati on peri od, rate of asymptomati c seroconversion among HCPs is too low to presume herd immunity. Those working in mixed hospitals and DM, multiple comorbidities are at particularly high risk.