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Clinical characteristics and humoral immune response in healthcare workers with COVID-19 in a teaching hospital in Belgium.
Vandercam, G; Simon, A; Scohy, A; Belkhir, L; Kabamba, B; Rodriguez-Villalobos, H; Yombi, J C.
  • Vandercam G; Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Simon A; Department of Microbiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Scohy A; Department of Microbiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Belkhir L; Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Kabamba B; Department of Microbiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Rodriguez-Villalobos H; Department of Microbiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Yombi JC; Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: Jean.yombi@uclouvain.be.
J Hosp Infect ; 106(4): 713-720, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-779260
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 and could play a role in nosocomial transmission. Since 4th February 2020, Belgian Health authorities reported more than 90,568 cases, of which 8.3% were HCWs. Data on clinical characteristics, sources of infection and humoral immune response of HCWs with COVID-19 remain scarce.

AIM:

To analyse the clinical characteristics, humoral immune response, sources of contamination, and outcomes among HCWs with COVID-19.

METHODS:

This retrospective study included 176 HCWs with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in a teaching hospital in Belgium. Between 1st March and 31st May 2020, all HCWs with symptoms suspected of COVID-19 were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on a nasopharyngeal swab. Serological testing was performed between 55 and 137 days after the onset of symptoms.

FINDINGS:

Median age was 40.8 years and 75% were female. Median delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 4.39 days. Most frequent symptoms were cough and headache (both 75%). Fever accounted for 68.7%. Most represented professions were nurses (42%). HCWs were mainly infected by patient contact (32.9%); 7.6% required hospitalization and 1.7% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, one HCW died (0.5%). Total antibodies were positive in 109/126 (86.5%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinical presentation of COVID-19 in HCWs does not differ from the general population. However, outcomes were more favourable with a mortality rate lower than that reported in Belgian COVID-19 patients in general (16%). The main source of infection was the hospital setting. Our positive antibodies rate was high but lower than previously reported.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Health Personnel / Immunity, Humoral / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Hospitals, Teaching Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: J Hosp Infect Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.jhin.2020.09.018

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Health Personnel / Immunity, Humoral / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Hospitals, Teaching Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: J Hosp Infect Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.jhin.2020.09.018