SARS-COV-2 SEROSURVEY AMONG BULGARIAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS BEFORE AND AFTER VACCINATION

Authors

  • Iva Trifonova National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria Author
  • Kim Ngoc National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Author
  • Teodora Gladnishka National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria Author
  • Vladislava Ivanova National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria Author
  • Metodi Kunchev Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria Author
  • Ventsislav Mutafchiyski Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria Author
  • Iva Christova National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58395/2zpwv014

Keywords:

COVID-19, Seroprevalence, Bulgaria, healthcare workers, vaccination

Abstract

Background: In the response to the current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2, one of the groups at higher risk were healthcare workers (HCWs), especially those who worked on the frontline. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies (seropositivity) in certain populations provides better understanding of virus circulation and transmission. Our aim was to study the seroprevalence rates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among a group of healthcare workers before and after vaccination/COVID-19 infection.

Material and Methods: We determined the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgA antibodies against S-antigen of by ELISA method. In this study, we enrolled 74 healthcare workers and three months later, 48 of the participants were followed up. At the baseline, none of the participants was vaccinated or had suffered COVID-19. 

Results: SARS-Cov-2 specific IgG antibodies were found in 32.4% of the participants. Higher prevalence of class IgA antibodies – 44.6% was detected. All samples that were IgG seropositive were also positive or borderline for IgA antibodies. Overall, virus-specific antibodies were not detected in 40.6% of HCWs in the group. During the follow-up (after vaccination and/or COVID-19 infection) high rates of both IgG and IgA seroprevalence were established. SARS-C0V-2 specific IgG antibodies were detected in 95.8% of the participants. Statistically significant difference was found in the levels of IgG and IgA antibodies both before and after vaccination, p<0.0001.

Conclusions: Based on detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, seroprevalence of 32.4% was established in an unvaccinated group of HCWs. Our survey demonstrated that asymptomatic COVID-19 infection may induce weaker humoral immune response, with production of IgA but not of IgG antibodies.

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References

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Published

2023-08-14

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How to Cite

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Trifonova, I.; Ngoc, K.; Gladnishka, T.; Ivanova, V.; Kunchev, M.; Mutafchiyski, V.; Christova, I. SARS-COV-2 SEROSURVEY AMONG BULGARIAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS BEFORE AND AFTER VACCINATION. Probl Infect Parasit Dis 2023, 50 (3), 24-28. https://doi.org/10.58395/2zpwv014.

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