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Updated: Aug 21, 2025
Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19
Published on: February 16, 2022
[Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in resident physicians]
María Guadalupe Velázquez-Vázquez1, Paolo Alberti-Minutti1, Esmeralda Campos-Aguirre2
1Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Hospital de Especialidades "Dr. Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez", Servicio de Medicina Interna. Ciudad de México, México.
Background:
COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world swiftly; there are several diagnostic strategies available. Health workers, especially medical residents (MR), are a high-risk population for acquiring this infection.
Objective:
To estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and the associated factors in MR of a third level hospital.
Material And Methods:
330 MR from different specialties were evaluated with a questionnaire and collection of blood samples for analysis by microparticle chemiluminescent immunoassay. The prevalence of previous infection was defined by seropositivity of these antibodies. Descriptive statistics and concordance between the RT-PCR tests and the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were used.
Results:
Of 330 MR, 84.5% actively participated in COVID patient care. One out of 3 reported symptoms of COVID-19; in 67.6% the possible site of infection was a hospital setting not associated with the COVID area. Out of 71 symptomatic subjects, 61.9% underwent RT-PCR against SARS-CoV-2; 20 were positive. In 15.8% of the total, the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was determined. Only 1 out of 3 subjects with a positive PCR had antibodies, and 11.3% of the cases, even with a positive RT-PCR test, did not develop humoral immunity.
Conclusions:
The seroprevalence was lower than that reported at the national level, potentially due to protection measures. The main risk factor was contact with the virus in areas of the hospital not related to COVID, making it imperative to reinforce security protocols in those spaces.
Insights
Medical residents showed lower SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence than national levels, with infection risk linked to non-COVID hospital areas. Reinforcing safety protocols in all hospital zones is crucial for healthcare worker protection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Occupational Health
Context:
- The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant risks to healthcare workers, particularly medical residents (MR).
- Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics within hospital settings is critical for implementing effective control measures.
Purpose:
- To determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among medical residents.
- To identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in this high-risk population.
Summary:
- A study involving 330 medical residents found a seroprevalence of 15.8% for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.
- A significant proportion of infections occurred in non-COVID hospital areas, highlighting the need for enhanced safety protocols.
- Discordance between RT-PCR and antibody presence was noted, with some positive PCR cases not developing detectable antibodies.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that existing protection measures may have been effective in reducing seroprevalence among residents.
- Identifying non-COVID areas as a primary risk factor underscores the necessity of reinforcing universal safety protocols across all hospital zones.
- This research informs strategies to better protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to novel infectious agents.
