https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1535-9898
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ABSTRACT
Purpose
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a considerable risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2; among them, HCWs from ophthalmology departments are more prone to develop severe symptoms. In Mexico City, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs is 30%. The present work aims to describe the seroprevalence among HCWs at an Ophthalmological Reference Centre in Mexico City.
Methods
A self-report questionnaire, RT-PCR test and detection of serum IgG/IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were performed among HCWs at the Institute of Ophthalmology “Conde de Valenciana”.
Results
A total of 169 HCWs participated in the study. None of the participants declared severe symptoms, and only 15% showed three or more symptoms. The results showed that 32% of the participants were RT-PCR+ (54/169), and 20% (35/169) presented IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Thirteen percent of the RT-PCR+ subjects were IgG positive, and 7.6% of the RT-PCR− participants were IgG positive. The presence of three or more symptoms correlated with the presence of IgG antibodies, as well as Ct values of < 32 (p < 0,05).
Conclusion
Most of the HCW cohort showed mild symptoms, and 69% of the RT-PCR+ participants did not show IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence was significantly associated with the presentation of COVID-19-associated symptoms.
Acknowledgments
The present work was supported by CONACyT project number 314320 and DGAPA-PAPIIT project number IN203821.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Financial support
: CONACYT project number 314320 and DGAPA-PAPIIT project number IN203821.
Conflicts of Interests: None of the authors have any proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission
The present manuscript has not been published anywhere previously, and it is not simultaneously being considered for any other publication.
Authorship
Dr. Fátima Sofía Magaña-Guerrero was significantly involved in the conception and design of the work, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of the findings and drafted the first version of the manuscript, including approval for submission.
Dr. Diana Hinojosa-Trujillo was significantly involved in the design of the work, acquisition of data and revision of the manuscript and gave approval for submission.
Dr. Beatriz Buentello-Volante was significantly involved in the design and customisation of the work, in particular the survey questions used as well as involved in the analysis/interpretation of findings as part of critically reviewing the draft manuscript and gave approval for submission.
Dr. José Eduardo Aguayo-Flores was significantly involved in the design of the work, acquisition of data and revision of the manuscript and gave approval for submission.
Dr. Edgar Alonso Melgoza-González was significantly involved in the implementation of the ELISAs. He critically reviewed the manuscript and gave approval for submission.
Professor Jesus Hernández was significantly involved in leadership ELISA implementation. He critically reviewed the draft manuscript and gave approval for submission.
Professor María C. Jiménez-Martínez was significantly involved in leadership of this piece of work within the wider COVID-19 research strategy at the Institute and gave approval for submission.
Dr. Sonia Mayra Pérez-Tapia was significantly involved in the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests and gave approval for submission.
Professor Yonathan Garfias was responsible for the initial idea and concept of which this study was based, including the design of the work, plan for acquisition of data and critically reviewed the manuscript before giving approval for submission.