SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in asymptomatic frontline health workers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The global health was thrown into a turmoil by the SARS-CoV-2 causing devastating morbidity and unprecedented loss of life in almost all continents of the world. It was predicted that the magnitude of the pandemic in Africa will be high due to poor health structure and intensely poor living condition, but that has not happened, surprisingly. It was hypothesized that the youthful population and a vastly primed immune system were protective, and many people may have been exposed without coming down with the severe disease. Most of them would have presented in hospitals with other medical conditions and possibly transmit COVID-19 to health workers inadvertently.

Aim and Objective: This study is designed to measure serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG level in health workers as a marker of latent exposure.

Method: Asymptomatic frontline health workers were randomly selected from the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria; venous blood samples were obtained from them and serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG level was determined using ELISA techniques. Proportion of participants with seropositivity were obtained and factors associated with seropositivity were determined.

Result: A total of 133 participants were recruited for this study. 60 (45.1%) of them were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Among the seropositive participants were doctors, nurses, health assistants, laboratory scientists and technicians, and non-medical staff. Obstetrics and gynaecology, and emergency departments had higher odds of seropositivity.

Conclusion: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is very high amongst frontline health workers although asymptomatic. This calls for a more stringent precaution against further spread within the hospital environment.