Long-term longitudinal evaluation of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare and university workers

Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 25;12(1):5156. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-09215-8.

Abstract

Asymptomatic and pauci-symptomatic cases contribute to underestimating the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Moreover, we have few studies available on the longitudinal follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after natural infection. We tested staff members of a Belgian tertiary academic hospital for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies. We analyzed the evolution of IgM and IgG after 6 weeks, and the persistence of IgG after 3 and 10 months. At the first evaluation, 409/3776 (10.8%) participants had a positive SARS-CoV-2 serology. Among initially seropositive participants who completed phases 2 and 3, IgM were still detected after 6 weeks in 53.1% and IgG persisted at 12 weeks in 82.0% (97.5% of those with more than borderline titers). IgG levels were higher and increased over time in symptomatic but were lower and stable in asymptomatic participants. After 10 months, 88.5% of participants had sustained IgG levels (97.0% of those with more than borderline titers).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Universities