Department of Medicine - DIMED, Laboratory Medicine, Padua University, Padua, Italy
Research Article
A Longitudinal Study of Healthcare Worker?s Surveillance During the Ongoing COVID-19 Epidemics in Italy
Author(s): Francesco Barbaro, Foscarina Della Rocca, Andrea Padoan, Aita A, Vito Cianci, Daniela Basso, Annamaria Cattelan, Claudia Santarossa, Mario Plebani and Luigi Dall’Olmo*
Background: Northern Italy was the first area outside China to be involved in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This observational study depicts SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and serological curves among first-line healthcare workers (HCWs) at Padua University Hospital (PdUH), North East Italy.
Method: 344 first-line HCWs underwent a SARS-CoV-2 RNA nasopharyngeal swab with paired IgM and IgG antibody detection for 4 consecutive weeks and after a follow up of 5 months.
Results: Twenty-seven HCWs (7.84%) had positive serology (Abs) with 12 positive swabs during the study period. Two additional HCWs were positive by swab but without Abs. Fourteen cases (4%) had SARS-CoV-2 infection before the beginning of the study. An HCW with autoimmune disease showed false Ab results. 46% of individuals with Abs reported no symptoms. Fever, nasal c.. View More»