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Prospective Longitudinal Serosurvey of Healthcare Workers in the First Wave of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic in a Quaternary Care Hospital in Munich, Germany.
Weinberger, Tobias; Steffen, Julius; Osterman, Andreas; Mueller, Tonina T; Muenchhoff, Maximilian; Wratil, Paul R; Graf, Alexander; Krebs, Stefan; Quartucci, Caroline; Spaeth, Patricia M; Grabein, Beatrice; Adorjan, Kristina; Blum, Helmut; Keppler, Oliver T; Klein, Matthias.
  • Weinberger T; Department of Medicine I, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Steffen J; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
  • Osterman A; Department of Medicine I, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Mueller TT; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
  • Muenchhoff M; Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Wratil PR; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.
  • Graf A; Department of Medicine I, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Krebs S; Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Quartucci C; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.
  • Spaeth PM; COVID-19 Registry of LMU Klinikum (CORKUM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Grabein B; Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Adorjan K; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.
  • Blum H; Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Keppler OT; Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
  • Klein M; Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Clin Infect Dis ; 73(9): e3055-e3065, 2021 11 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1501051
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

High infection rates among healthcare personnel in an uncontained pandemic can paralyze health systems due to staff shortages. Risk constellations and rates of seroconversion for healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic are still largely unclear.

METHODS:

Healthcare personnel (n = 300) on different organizational units in the LMU Munich University Hospital were included and followed in this prospective longitudinal study from 24 March until 7 July 2020. Participants were monitored in intervals of 2 to 6 weeks using different antibody assays for serological testing and questionnaires to evaluate risk contacts. In a subgroup of infected participants, we obtained nasopharyngeal swabs to perform whole-genome sequencing for outbreak characterization.

RESULTS:

HCWs involved in patient care on dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wards or on regular non-COVID-19 wards showed a higher rate of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion than staff in the emergency department and non-frontline personnel. The landscape of risk contacts in these units was dynamic, with a decrease in unprotected risk contacts in the emergency department and an increase on non-COVID-19 wards. Both intensity and number of risk contacts were associated with higher rates of seroconversion. On regular wards, staff infections tended to occur in clusters, while infections on COVID-19 wards were less frequent and apparently independent of each other.

CONCLUSIONS:

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for frontline HCWs was increased during the first pandemic wave in southern Germany. Stringent measures for infection control are essential to protect all patient-facing staff during the ongoing pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid