SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Positivity and Seroprevalence among Health Care Workers in a Referral Cancer Institute: A Cross-sectional Study

Abdel-Rahman Zekri; Ola S. Ahmed; Noha Asem; Sherief Musa; Mohamed Ibrahem; Hany K. Soliman; Mohammed M. Hafez; Margrit S. Nessim; Hatem Aboelkasem; Abeer A. Bahnassy

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.8066

Authors

Abdel-Rahman Zekri Department of Cancer Biology, Virology and Immunology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3939-0416
Ola S. Ahmed Department of Cancer Biology, Virology and Immunology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Noha Asem Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Sherief Musa Department of Endemic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Mohamed Ibrahem Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Hany K. Soliman Department of Cancer Biology, Virology and Immunology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Mohammed M. Hafez Department of Cancer Biology, Virology and Immunology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Margrit S. Nessim Department of Cancer Biology, Virology and Immunology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Hatem Aboelkasem Department of Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Abeer A. Bahnassy Department of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.8066

Keywords:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Coronavirus disease 2019, Healthcare workers, Cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are presumed to be at increased risk of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients if they are not timeously isolated.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of HCWs providing oncology services.

METHODS AND RESULTS: HCWs in a large referral cancer hospital in Egypt were tested using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs, and immunochromatography-based rapid serological test (RST). Clinical and epidemiological data were collected. In 2020, 999 HCWs were screened, of whom 86 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (8.6%) and 127 subjects were seropositive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by RST (12.8%). Immunoglobulin M seroprevalence demonstrated considerable concordance with RT-PCR positivity (sensitivity 82.14% and specificity 96.71%). Most HCWs (>95%) reported adherence to personal protective equipment. Patient transporters/cleaner were the group with the highest frequency of positive RT-PCR (19%) whereas laboratory and radiology technicians displayed the lowest frequency. Fever, dry cough, rhinorrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue and diarrhea were significantly associated with RT-PCR positivity, with increased likelihood of being positive with the presence of five or six simultaneous symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: The point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in screened HCWs is 8.6% by RT-PCR and seroprevalence is 12.8% by RST. Strict measures should be implemented to minimize transmission within healthcare settings and to the community. Our data support the importance of HCWs screening for SARS-CoV-2, taking in account the significant proportion of asymptomatic carriers.

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