Evolution of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response in a cohort of French healthcare workers followed for 7 months

B Pilmis, I Elkaibi, G Péan de Ponfilly, H Daikha, A Bouzid, A Guihot, N Castreau, P Pradere, H Ketatni, A Mondragon, G Hayem, J Le Pavec, S Laplanche, A Le Monnier, B Pilmis, I Elkaibi, G Péan de Ponfilly, H Daikha, A Bouzid, A Guihot, N Castreau, P Pradere, H Ketatni, A Mondragon, G Hayem, J Le Pavec, S Laplanche, A Le Monnier

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to understand the immune response among healthcare workers (HCWs) following SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to determine the infection prevalence during the first wave of the pandemic among workers in our hospital.

Methods: Determination of the serological status against SARS-CoV-2 (nucleocapsid) was offered to all HCWs. All HCWs with positive SARS-CoV-2 serology were proposed to be included in a longitudinal medical and serological follow-up (anti-spike) for 7months.

Results: We included 3062 HCWs; 256 (8.4%) were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG. Among them, early decrease in the anti-nucleocapsid antibody index was observed between the first (S1) and second (S2) serology samplings in 208 HCWs (84.2%). The initial anti-nucleocapsid IgG index seemed to be related to the HCWs' age. Seventy-four HCWs were included in the 7-month cohort study. Among them, 69 (90.5%) had detectable anti-spike IgG after 7months and 24 (32.4%) reported persistent symptoms consistent with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome diagnosis.

Conclusion: The prevalence of serological positivity among HCWs was 6.7%. Infection should be followed by vaccination because of antibody decrease.

Keywords: Anti-spike IgG; COVID-19; Healthcare workers; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination.

Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the study.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Anti-nucleocapsid IgG index according to age (n = 256).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A. SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid and B. Anti-spike IgG antibody evolution for the whole cohort. (S1 = day 0, S2 = month 1 or day 30, S3 = month 3 or day 90, S4 = month 8 or day 210) (n = 74).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Correlation between the anti-nucleocapsid antibody index and anti-spike antibody titers.

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Source: PubMed

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