SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk upon return to work in RNA-positive healthcare workers

Source avec lien : Journal of Hospital Infection, (Prépublication). 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.02.024

Nous avons cherché à étudier la présence d’ARN du SRAS-CoV-2 et la transmission possible par les travailleurs de santé lors de leur retour au travail après le COVID-19, ainsi que l’association avec la gravité de la maladie et le développement d’anticorps au fil du temps.

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and for spreading Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) amongst colleagues and patients. Aim We aimed to study presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and possible onward transmission by HCWs upon return to work after COVID-19, and association with disease severity and development of antibodies over time. Methods Unvaccinated HCWs with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR were prospectively recruited. Data on symptoms was collected via telephone questionnaires on day 2, 7, 14 and 21 after positive test. Upon return to work, repeat SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR was performed and serum was collected. Repeat sera were collected at week 4, 8, 12 and 16 to determine antibody dynamics over time. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to investigate possible transmission events originating from HCW with a positive repeat RT-PCR. Findings Sixty-one (84.7%) participants with mild-moderate COVID-19 had a repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR performed upon return to work (median 13 days post symptom onset), of which 30 (49.1%) were positive with a median cycle threshold (Ct) value of 29.2 (IQR 3.0). All HCWs developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. No significant differences in symptomatology and presence of antibodies were found between repeat RT-PCR-positive and -negative HCWs. Eleven direct colleagues of six participants with a repeat RT-PCR Ct-value <30 tested positive after the HCW returned to work. Phylogenetic and epidemiologic analysis did not indicate onward transmission through HCW who were SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive upon return to work. Conclusions HCWs regularly return to work with sub stantial SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads. However, we found no evidence for subsequent in-hospital transmission. Lisez l’article

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