Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in IBD healthcare professionals: are we currently able to provide COVID-free IBD clinics?

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide triggering a pandemic during the year 2020. The proportion of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 whose infection remained subclinical is not known. However, such information is important to determine whether the control measures currently employed are sufficient to halt the spread of the virus. Current study has examined the seroprevalence of anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a population of 92 healthcare professionals working with patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test system for SARS-CoV-2 IgG from EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG (Germany) was used. Very low herd antibody-mediated immunity was proven, less than 2%, although we have been faced with the COVID-19 pandemic for several months. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing is currently unable to provide sufficient information about our anti-infectious immunity.

Keywords:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• SARS-CoV-2
• herd immunity

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by PRO.MED CS Prague, Czech Republic, and IBD Comfort Foundation.

Author contributions

KM and MB designed and supervised the study, ZK and SL performed laboratory analysis, KM and ZK wrote the first draft of the paper, MLand MB revised the manuscript and added important intellectual content. All authors approved the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).