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Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among firefighters/paramedics of a US fire department: a cross-sectional study.
Caban-Martinez, Alberto J; Schaefer-Solle, Natasha; Santiago, Katerina; Louzado-Feliciano, Paola; Brotons, Angel; Gonzalez, Marco; Issenberg, S Barry; Kobetz, Erin.
  • Caban-Martinez AJ; Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA acaban@med.miami.edu.
  • Schaefer-Solle N; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida, USA.
  • Santiago K; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida, USA.
  • Louzado-Feliciano P; Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
  • Brotons A; Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
  • Gonzalez M; Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
  • Issenberg SB; Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
  • Kobetz E; Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
Occup Environ Med ; 77(12): 857-861, 2020 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-695387
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

We estimate the point seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the frontline firefighter/paramedic workforce of a South Florida fire department located in the epicentre of a State outbreak.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study design was used to estimate the point seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a rapid immunoglobulin (Ig)M-IgG combined point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay among frontline firefighters/paramedics collected over a 2-day period, 16-17 April 2020. Fire department personnel were emailed a survey link assessing COVID-19 symptoms and work exposures the day prior to the scheduled drive-through antibody testing at a designated fire station. Off-duty and on-duty firefighter/paramedic personnel drove through the fire station/training facility in their personal vehicles or on-duty engine/rescue trucks for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing.

RESULTS:

Among the 203 firefighters/paramedics that make up the fire department workforce, 18 firefighters/paramedics (8.9%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, of which 8 firefighters/paramedics (3.9%) were IgG positive only, 8 (3.9%) were IgM positive only and 2 (0.1%) were IgG/IgM positive. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the serological test is estimated to be 33.2% and the negative predictive value is 99.3%. The average number of COVID-19 case contacts (ie, within 6 feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient) for ≥15 min) experienced by firefighters/paramedics was higher for those with positive serology compared with those with negative (13.3 cases vs 7.31 cases; p=0.022). None of the antibody positive firefighters/paramedics reported receipt of the annual influenza vaccine compared with firefighters/paramedics who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (0.0% vs 21.0%; p=0.027).

CONCLUSION:

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 IgM-IgG antibody testing documented early-stage and late-stage infection in a firefighter workforce providing insight to a broader medical surveillance project on return to work for firefighters/paramedics. Given the relatively low PPV of the serological test used in this study back in April 2020, caution should be used in interpreting test results.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Immunoglobulin G / Immunoglobulin M / Occupational Exposure / Coronavirus Infections / Firefighters / Allied Health Personnel / Betacoronavirus Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid / Vaccines Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Occup Environ Med Journal subject: Occupational Medicine / Environmental Health Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Oemed-2020-106676

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Immunoglobulin G / Immunoglobulin M / Occupational Exposure / Coronavirus Infections / Firefighters / Allied Health Personnel / Betacoronavirus Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid / Vaccines Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Occup Environ Med Journal subject: Occupational Medicine / Environmental Health Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Oemed-2020-106676