A Cross-Sectional Study of Exposure Factors Associated with Seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies during the Second Epidemic Wave among a Sample of the University of Corsica (France).

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection within the staff and student populations of the University of Corsica (France) during the second wave of the epidemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 23 November 2020 to 31 January 2021. The participants underwent blood sampling using a fingerstick procedure and completed an anonymized questionnaire. Sera were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (ELISA-S) and, if positive, with an in-house virus neutralization test (VNT). RESULTS: A total of 418 persons were included in the study. The overall seroprevalence was 12.8% (95% confidence interval (CI), 9.8-16.6%). A total of 15 (31%) of the 49 individuals who had a positive ELISA-S also had a positive VNT. Seropositivity was associated with living at the city campus during the week and on weekends (OR = 3.74 [1.40-12.00]), using public transportation/carpooling (OR = 2.00 [1.01-4.02]), and being in contact with a person who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 2.32 [1.20-4.40]). The main symptoms associated with seropositivity were "having had an acute respiratory infection" (OR = 3.05 [1.43-6.43]) and "experiencing loss of smell" (OR = 16.4 [5.87-50.7]). CONCLUSION: These results could be useful for SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control on university campuses.