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SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology, antibody dynamics, and neutralisation capacity in Irish healthcare workers in the era of booster COVID-19 vaccinations

Authors :
Jonathan McGrath
Claire Kenny
Charlotte Salgaard Nielsen
Lisa Domegan
Cathal Walsh
Peadar Rooney
Shane Walsh
Niall Conlon
Gareth Brady
Aya Ibrahim
Jean Dunne
William McCormack
Niamh Corcoran
Niamh Allen
Catherine Fleming
Colm Bergin
Source :
Frontiers in Medicine, Vol 10 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2023.

Abstract

BackgroundThe PRECISE Study, a multi-phase cross-sectional seroprevalence study of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Irish healthcare workers (HCW) investigated: (1) risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, (2) the durability of antibody responses in a highly vaccinated HCW cohort, and (3) the neutralisation capacity of detected antibodies, prior to booster COVID-19 vaccination.Materials and methodsSerology samples were collected across two hospital sites in November 2021 and analysed using the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2/Elecsys-S Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays to detect anti-nucleocapsid (N) and anti-spike (S) antibodies respectively. Paired serology results from prior study phases were used to analyse changes in individual HCW serostatus over time. Risk-factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed for demographic and work-related factors. Antibody neutralisation capacity was assessed in a subset of samples via an in vitro ACE2 binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results2,344 HCW samples were analysed. Median age was 43 years (IQR 33–50) with 80.5% (n = 1,886) female participants. Irish (78.9%, n = 1,850) and Asian (12.3%, n = 288) were the most commonly reported ethnicities. Nursing/midwifery (39.3%, n = 922) was the most common job role. 97.7% of participants were fully vaccinated, with Pfizer (81.1%, n = 1,902) and AstraZeneca (16.1%, n = 377) the most common vaccines received. Seroprevalence for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies indicating prior infection was 23.4%, of these 33.6% represented previously undiagnosed infections. All vaccinated participants demonstrated positive anti-S antibodies and in those with paired serology, no individual demonstrated loss of previously positive anti-S status below assay threshold for positivity. Interval loss of anti-N antibody positivity was demonstrated in 8.8% of previously positive participants with paired results. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity suggestive of previous infection included age 18–29 years (aRR 1.50, 95% CI 1.19–1.90, p < 0.001), India as country of birth (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01–1.73, p = 0.036), lower education level (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.11–1.66, p = 0.004) and HCA job role (aRR 2.12, 95% CI 1.51–2.95, p < 0.001). Antibody neutralisation varied significantly by anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody status, with highest levels noted in those anti-N positive, in particular those with vaccination plus previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.ConclusionAll vaccinated HCWs maintained anti-S positivity prior to COVID-19 booster vaccination, however anti-N positivity was more dynamic over time. Antibody neutralisation capacity was highest in participants with COVID-19 vaccination plus prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2296858X
Volume :
10
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.82273f15d7b64ba3bad60c1ed73178a1
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1078022