Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in healthcare workers at a tertiary care COVID 19 dedicated hospital in Delhi.

PURPOSE: Amidst the on-going SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, healthcare workers have been at a greater risk of disease exposure as they are working in environments chiefly involved in the COVID-19 patient care since March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing can prove to be a valuable tool for better understanding of prevalence of disease exposure in this population. Therefore, we conducted this study to grasp the sero-prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in our hospital to better comprehend the duration of IgG response. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study involving 305 healthcare workers at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital spanning over a period of four months starting from October 2020 to January 2021. Serum samples were obtained from the study group taken as Day 0 of the study and were screened for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using semi-quantitive enzyme linked immunoassay technology from ERBAlisa (India). The Antibody Index was determined. Those showing reactive in the screening test were further followed up on a monthly basis till January 2021 for serial antibody testing. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence for IgG response among the workers was found to be 21.96%. Seropositivity rate was observed to be significantly higher in those having a history of RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection (45.09%) CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that healthcare workers have a higher sero-prevalence. Our study also demonstrated that the antibodies developed following COVID-19 infection had a waning effect of protective response following infection.

A prospective study of prevalence of respiratory viruses causing acute respiratory infection in pediatric in-patients during pre- COVID times.

PURPOSE: To find out the prevalence of respiratory viruses causing Acute Respiratory Infection in pediatric in-patients during Pre-COVID times. METHODS: Nasal swabs were collected from children in the age group of 1 month-16 years who were admitted at our hospital with Acute Respiratory Infection. Samples were subjected to nucleic acid extraction and Real time polymerase chain reaction to detect 16 RNA viruses and 2 DNA viruses. The results were interpreted in context of most prevalent viruses detected, their seasonal distribution, co-infecting viruses, co-morbidities in patients with effect thereof and use and effect of antibiotics in those positive for viral etiology. RESULTS: Of the 250 children recruited in the study, viral pathogen was detected in 74% cases. RSV was the most common virus detected with 36.2% positivity (92/254) followed by rhino/entero (19.2%, 49/254), PIV 1,2,3,4 (9.4%, 24/254), Influenza A,B,C (8.2%, 21/254), adenovirus & HBoV (6.2%, 16/254), coronavirus HKU1, NL63, OC43, 229E (4.3%, 11/254), H1N1 (4.7%, 12/254) and hMPV (0.7%, 2/254). Co-infection with 2 or more viruses was seen in 34% cases. Among the cases on whom antibiotics were started, they were withdrawn following test results in 42.3% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of viral etiology is high amongst children especially ≤2 years. RSV, rhino/enterovirus, PIV 1,2,3,4 and Influenza virus were more prevalent than others. Rapid, early detection of virus with multiplex PCR will help in early cohorting of the patients thus reducing nosocomial spread of these viruses and prevent injudicious use of antibiotics.