Low awareness of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy plasma donors

Cell Rep Med. 2021 Mar 16;2(3):100222. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100222. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Abstract

Awareness of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for the effectiveness of COVID-19 control measures. Here, we investigate awareness of infection and symptoms in relation to antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in healthy plasma donors. We asked individuals donating plasma across the Netherlands between May 11th and 18th 2020 to report COVID-19-related symptoms, and we tested for antibodies indicative of a past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Among 3,676 with antibodies, and from questionnaire data, 239 (6.5%) are positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Of those, 48% suspect no COVID-19, despite the majority reporting symptoms; 11% of seropositive individuals report no symptoms and 27% very mild symptoms at any time during the first peak of the epidemic. Anosmia/ageusia and fever are most strongly associated with seropositivity. Almost half of seropositive individuals do not suspect SARS-CoV-2 infection. Improved recognition of COVID-19 symptoms, in particular, anosmia/ageusia and fever, is needed to reduce widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; anosmia; antibodies; infection awareness; plasma donation; symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Blood Donors / statistics & numerical data*
  • COVID-19 / pathology*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral