Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

SARS-CoV-2 infection in general practice in Ireland: a seroprevalence study

2021; Royal College of General Practitioners; Volume: 5; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0038

2398-3795

Michael O’Callaghan, Elizabeth J. Ryan, Cathal Walsh, Peter Hayes, Monica Casey, Pat O’Dwyer, Aidan Culhane, John W. Duncan, Pat Harrold, Jarlath Healy, Emmet Kerin, Eimear Kelly, Conor Hanrahan, Ger P. Lane, Bernie Lynch, Paraic Meaney, Billy O’Connell, J. P. Galvin, Norelee Kennedy, P. Burke, N.H. O’Connell, Colum Dunne, Liam Glynn,

SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody testing in community settings may help us better understand the immune response to this virus and, therefore, help guide public health efforts. Aim To conduct a seroprevalence study of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in Irish GP clinics. Design & setting Participants were 172 staff and 799 patients from 15 general practices in the Midwest region of Ireland. Method This seroprevalence study utilised two manufacturers’ point-of-care (POC) SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M (IgM)—IgG combined antibody tests, which were offered to patients and staff in general practice from 15 June to 10 July 2020. Results IgG seroprevalence was 12.6% in patients attending general practice and 11.1% in staff working in general practice, with administrative staff having the lowest seroprevalence at 2.5% and nursing staff having the highest at 17.6%. Previous symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and history of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test were associated with higher seroprevalence. IgG antibodies were detected in approximately 80% of participants who had a previous PCR-confirmed infection. Average length of time between participants’ positive PCR test and positive IgG antibody test was 83 days. Conclusion Patients and healthcare staff in general practice in Ireland had relatively high rates of IgG to SARS-CoV-2 compared with the national average between 15 June and 10 July 2020 (1.7%). Four-fifths of participants with a history of confirmed COVID-19 disease still had detectable antibodies an average of 12 weeks post-infection. While not proof of immunity, SARS-CoV-2 POC testing can be used to estimate IgG seroprevalence in general practice settings.