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SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb

Fuereder, T; Berghoff, AS; Heller, G; Haslacher, H; Perkmann, T; Strassl, R; Berger, JM; Puhr, HC; Kreminger, J; Moik, F; Schubert, L; Starzer, AM; Steindl, A; Winkler, S; Preusser, M; Tobudic, S.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in oncology healthcare professionals and patients with cancer at a tertiary care centre during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ESMO Open. 2020; 5(5):e000889 Doi: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000889 [OPEN ACCESS]
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Co-authors Med Uni Graz: Moik Florian
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Abstract:: BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare professionals (HCP) are at the frontline of clinical management and at increased risk for infection. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of oncological HCP and their patients has significant implications for oncological care. METHODS: HCP and patients with cancer at the Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna were included between 21 March and 4 June and tested for total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 employing the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. Reactive samples were confirmed or disproved by the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG test. Additionally, a structured questionnaire regarding basic demographic parameters, travel history and COVID-19-associated symptoms had to be completed by HCP. RESULTS: 146 subjects (62 HCP and 84 patients with cancer) were enrolled. In the oncological HCP cohort, 20 (32.3%) subjects were medical oncologists, 28 (45.2%) nurses at our ward and 14 (22.6%) fulfil other functions such as study coordinators. In the patient cohort, most individuals are on active anticancer treatment (96.4%). 26% of the HCP and 6% of the patients had symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19 since the end of February 2020. However, only in 2 (3.2%) HCP and in 3 (3.6%) patients, anti-SARS-Cov-2 total antibodies were detected. The second assay for anti-SARS-Cov-2 IgG antibodies confirmed the positive result in all HCP and in 2 (2.4%) patients, suggesting an initial assay's unspecific reaction in one case. In individuals with a confirmed test result, an active COVID-19 infection was documented by a positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA PCR test. CONCLUSION: Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were found solely in persons after a documented SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, thus supporting the test methods' high sensitivity and specificity. The low prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in our cohorts indicates a lack of immunity against SARS-CoV-2. It highlights the need for continued strict safety measures to prevent uncontrolled viral spread among oncological HCPs and patients with cancer.
Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing): Adolescent - administration & dosage; Adult - administration & dosage; Aged - administration & dosage; Aged, 80 and over - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Austria - epidemiology; Betacoronavirus - immunology, pathogenicity; Biomarkers - blood; COVID-19 - administration & dosage; COVID-19 Testing - administration & dosage; Clinical Laboratory Techniques - administration & dosage; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis, epidemiology, transmission, virology; Female - administration & dosage; Host-Pathogen Interactions - administration & dosage; Humans - administration & dosage; Male - administration & dosage; Medical Staff, Hospital - administration & dosage; Middle Aged - administration & dosage; Nursing Staff, Hospital - administration & dosage; Oncologists - administration & dosage; Oncology Nursing - administration & dosage; Oncology Service, Hospital - administration & dosage; Pandemics - administration & dosage; Patients - administration & dosage; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnosis, epidemiology, transmission, virology; Predictive Value of Tests - administration & dosage; Prospective Studies - administration & dosage; Reproducibility of Results - administration & dosage; Retrospective Studies - administration & dosage; SARS-CoV-2 - administration & dosage; Seroepidemiologic Studies - administration & dosage; Serologic Tests - administration & dosage; Tertiary Care Centers - administration & dosage; Young Adult - administration & dosage
Find related publications in this database (Keywords): seroprevalence; SARS-COV-2; healthcare professionals; COVID-19