Seroprevalence of antibody to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus among health care workers in SARS and non-SARS medical wards

Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Jun 15;38(12):e116-8. doi: 10.1086/421019. Epub 2004 May 24.

Abstract

The seroprevalence of antibody to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in cohorts of health care workers (HCWs) with subclinical infection in SARS and non-SARS medical wards was 2.3% (3 of 131 HCWs) and 0% (0 of 192 HCWs), respectively. Rates for clinical SARS-CoV infection among 742 HCWs on these wards were highest among nurses (11.6%) and health care assistants (11.8%), indicating that these occupations are associated with the highest risks for exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Health Personnel
  • Hong Kong
  • Hospital Units
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / transmission*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral