Search

The severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased levels of blood interleukin (IL)-6. Therefore, it is hypothesized that modulating the levels or effects of IL-6 could diminish airway inflammation and alter the course of COVID-19. We conducted a controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial on hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 in Iran. The patients were randomly distributed by block randomization to take either standard-of-care (SOC) plus 1 or 2 doses of tocilizumab 8 mg/kg or SOC alone. The endpoint was defined by clinical improvement and discharge. We enrolled 40 patients (20 patients in each group) from 10 July to 10 December 2020. After randomization, 1 patient in the SOC arm and 3 patients in the tocilizumab arm refused to participate and were eliminated from the study. The mean age of participants was 59.62±15.80 in the tocilizumab group (8 women and 9 men) and 63.52±12.83 years old in the SOC group (9 women and 10 men) groups. The number of patients who recovered did not differ significantly between the tocilizumab and SOC groups (12 [70.6%][70.6%] vs. 15 [78.9%]), respectively). Hospitalization rates were also similar between the groups (Log-rank test, p=0.615; hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI [0.39–1.78]). The results show that tocilizumab could not be a beneficial agent for treating severe cases of COVID-19 patients and would not significantly improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Estimating the prevalence of SARSCOV-2 antibody sero positivity among health care workers (HCWs) is crucial. In this study the seroprevalence of antiSARS-COV-2 antibodies among HCWs of five hospitals of Tehran-Iran with high COVID-9 patient’s referrals was assessed. Methods: HCWs from public and private hospitals were included and were asked questions on their demographic characteristics, medical history, hospital role and usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Seroprevalence was estimated on the basis of ELISA test results (IgG and IgM antibodies in blood samples) and adjusted for test performance. Results: Among the 2065 participants, 88.4% and 11.6% HCWs were recruited from the public and private hospitals, respectively. The overall test-performance adjusted seroprevalence estimate among HCWs was 22.6 (95% CI 20.2-25.1) and it was higher in private hospitals (37.0%; 95% CI 28.6-46.2) than public hospitals (20.7%; 95% CI 18.2-23.3). PPE usage was significantly higher among HCWs of public versus private hospitals (66.5% vs. 20.0%). Test-adjusted seroprevalence estimates were highest among assistant nurses and nurses, and lowest among janitor/superintendent categories. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 among HCWs depends on hospital type, hospital department, and hospital role. The PPE usage was especially suboptimal among HCWs in private hospitals. Continued effort in access to adequate PPE is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity among health care workers (HCWs) is crucial. In this study, the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs of five hospitals of Tehran, Iran with high COVID-19 patient's referrals from April to June, 2020, was assessed. In this cross-sectional study, HCWs from three public and two private hospitals, selected randomly as a pilot, were included. Participants were asked questions on their demographic characteristics, medical history, hospital role, and usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Iran FDA-approved SARS-CoV-2 ELISA kits were used to detect IgG and IgM antibodies in blood samples. The seroprevalence was estimated on the basis of ELISA test results and adjusted for test performance. Among the 2,065 participants, 1,825 (88.4%) and 240 (11.6%) HCWs were recruited from public and private hospitals, respectively. A total of 340 HCWs were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG or IgM antibodies, and 17.9% of seropositive individuals were asymptomatic. The overall test performance-adjusted seroprevalence estimate among HCWs was 22.6 (95% CI: 20.2-25.1), and PPE usage was significantly higher among HCWs of public vs. private hospitals (66.5 vs. 20.0%). This study found that seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs was higher in private hospitals (37.0%; 95% CI: 28.6-46.2) than public hospitals (20.7%; 95% CI: 18.2-23.3), and also highest among assistant nurses and nurses, and lowest among janitor or superintendent categories. The PPE usage was especially suboptimal among HCWs in private hospitals. Continued effort in access to adequate PPE and regular screening of hospital staff for detecting asymptomatic personnel, especially during the upcoming wave of infection, are warranted., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Darvishian, Sharafkhah, Mohammadi, Sadeghniiat-haghighi, Abdollahi, Jafary, Talaschian, Tabarsi, Baghai, Mardani, Shayanrad, Shafighian, Markarian, Roozafzai, Zamani, Alvand, Hariri, Sadeghi, Poustchi and Malekzadeh.)