A cross-sectional study on immunoglobulin G serology against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among health-care workers and blood donors in an oncology center in Eastern India along with an assessment of their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward blood donation during COVID-19

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in prevaccinated health-care workers (HCWs) and blood donors among different categories (categories A to D) based on their previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status along with a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) assessment to understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on blood transfusion services and to determine their willingness to donate COVID convalescent plasma (CCP). In addition to that, we studied a small cohort of postvaccinated HCWs and blood donors for IgG antibodies to observe the humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational, study done in India during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 315 prevaccinated individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody to the spike protein using SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibody kits by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Among them, 134 were blood donors and 181 were HCWs. The postvaccinated cohort consisted of 36 HCWs and 21 blood donors. Results: About 90.56% of donors in category A (blood donors with a history of COVID-19) and 22.22% of donors in category B (blood donors without a history of COVID-19) had IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. In category C (HCWs who had a history of COVID-19), an inverse relationship was observed between the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold average and the IgG value. Overall, the seroprevalence was more in blood donors compared to the HCWs. The seroconversion rate was 92.9% in the postvaccinated cohort. A positive intent was observed in 64% of donors during the KAP assessment regarding CCP donation. Conclusion: This study throws light on the herd immunity status of the Indian population which could further assist in prioritizing the vaccination programs to high-risk individuals. The KAP studies highlight the need for more awareness programs on blood donation during COVID-19.