Abstract
Background: Screening for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is under way in some key worker groups; how this adds to self-reported COVID-19 illness is unclear. In this study, we investigate the association between self-reported belief of COVID-19 illness and seropositivity.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of three key worker streams comprising (A) Police and Fire & Rescue (2 sites) (B) healthcare workers (1 site) and (C) healthcare workers with previously positive PCR result (5 sites). We collected self-reported signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and compared this with serology results from two SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays (Roche Elecsys® and EUROIMMUN).
Results: Between 01 and 26 June, we recruited 2847 individuals (Stream A: 1,247, Stream B: 1,546 and Stream C: 154). Amongst those without previous positive PCR tests, 687/2,579 (26%) reported belief they had COVID-19, having experienced compatible symptoms; however, only 208 (30.3%) of these were seropositive on both immunoassays. Both immunoassays had high sensitivities relative to previous PCR positivity (>93%); there was also limited decline in antibody titres up to 110 days post symptom onset. Symptomatic but seronegative individuals had differing symptom profiles and shorter illnesses than seropositive individuals.
Conclusion: Non-COVID-19 respiratory illness may have been mistaken for COVID-19 during the outbreak; laboratory testing is more specific than self-reported key worker beliefs in ascertaining past COVID-19 disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 151-161 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Infection |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 26 Mar 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information: The study was funded by Public Health England and supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Portfolio.Open Access: This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Publisher Copyright: Crown Copyright © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The British Infection Association.
Citation: Mulchandani, Ranya, et al. "Association between self-reported signs and symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in UK key workers." Journal of Infection (2021).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2021.03.019
Keywords
- Antibodies
- Covid-19
- Symptoms
- United kingdom
- serology