Language
English
Publication Date
6-7-2024
Journal
Infectious Disease Reports
DOI
10.3390/idr16030040
PMID
38920896
PMCID
PMC11203478
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
6-7-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a highly pathogenic emerging infectious disease. Healthcare personnel (HCP) are presumably at higher risk of acquiring emerging infections because of occupational exposure. The prevalence of COVID-19 in HCP is unknown, particularly in low- to middle-income countries like El Salvador. The goal of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCP in El Salvador just prior to vaccine rollout in March 2021. We evaluated 2176 participants from a nationally representative sample of national healthcare institutions. We found 40.4% (n = 880) of the study participants were seropositive for anti-spike protein antibodies. Significant factors associated with infection included younger age; living within the central, more populated zone of the country; living in a larger household (≥7 members); household members with COVID-19 or compatible symptoms; and those who worked in auxiliary services (i.e., housekeeping and food services). These findings provide insight into opportunities to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 risk and other emerging respiratory pathogens in HCP in El Salvador.
Keywords
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, seroprevalence, spike protein, El Salvador
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Ramírez, José Elías Aguilar; Maliga, Adrianna; Stewart, Allison; et al., "Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Healthcare Personnel in El Salvador Prior to Vaccination Campaigns" (2024). Faculty and Staff Publications. 3607.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/3607
Included in
Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Diseases Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Tropical Medicine Commons