Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors in healthcare workers of a Mexican Covid-19 hospital

Salud Publica Mex. 2022 Jul 8;64(4, jul-ago):348-356. doi: 10.21149/13677.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers (HCW) and to identify factors associated with infection. Materials and meth-ods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Covid-19 hospital in Morelos, Mexico. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins were detected by ELISA. A bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression model were performed to identify factors associated with infection.

Results: Among all participants, 31% had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, while only 13.1% had reported a history of positive RT-PCR. Individuals who reported cohabiting with someone with Covid-19, and those who had a previous RT-PCR test, were more likely to be seropositive. Laboratory personnel had the lowest seroprevalence (12.0%), while social workers had the highest (35.7%).

Conclusions: The results of this study show the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCW in a hospital in Mexico, and underline the importance of serological tests for a better estimate of prevalence in health systems where only symptomatic cases are recorded.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Personnel
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Prevalence
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins