Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Adults and Healthcare Workers in Southern Italy

Francesco Napolitano, Gabriella Di Giuseppe, Maria Vittoria Montemurro, Anna Maria Molinari, Giovanna Donnarumma, Antonio Arnese, Maria Pavia and Italo Francesco Angelillo
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Francesco Napolitano: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Gabriella Di Giuseppe: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Maria Vittoria Montemurro: Health Direction, Teaching Hospital of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, 104 80138 Naples, Italy
Anna Maria Molinari: Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. De Crecchio, 7 80138 Naples, Italy
Giovanna Donnarumma: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Antonio Arnese: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Maria Pavia: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Italo Francesco Angelillo: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Background: This study was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a Southern Italian population. Methods: The study was performed among students and workers of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” and the relative Teaching Hospital. Participants were invited to undergo a blood sampling, an interview or to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 140 participants (5.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test results increased significantly during the months of testing, and those who had had at least one symptom among fever, cough, dyspnea, loss of taste or smell and who had had contact with a family member/cohabitant with confirmed COVID-19 were more likely to test positive. Faculty members were less likely to have a positive test result compared to the healthcare workers (HCWs). Among HCWs, physicians showed the lowest rate of seroconversion (5.2%) compared to nurses (8.9%) and other categories (10%). Nurses and other HCWs compared to the physicians, those who had had at least one symptom among fever, cough, dyspnea, loss of taste or smell, and who had had contact with a family member/cohabitant with confirmed COVID-19 were more likely to test positive. Conclusions: The results have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection is rapidly spreading even in Southern Italy and confirm the substantial role of seroprevalence studies for the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection circulation and potential for further spreading.

Keywords: adults; healthcare workers; Italy; SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; seroprevalence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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