Longitudinal study of SARS-CoV-2 infections in different employee groups of long distance train services from June 2020 until February 2021 in Germany.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kim H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9095852 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Longitudinal study of SARS-CoV-2 infections in different employee groups of long distance train services from June 2020 until February 2021 in Germany.
Kim HyoungJin H Schultz-Heienbrok Robert R Uhle Markus M Neubert Jenni J Ball Fabian F Metz Matthes M Gravert Christian C
Epidemiology and infection 20220420
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Project description:BackgroundDuring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been a risk group for COVID-19.AimTo assess the cumulative incidence in different groups of HCWs and the risk factors and outcomes of COVID-19 in HCWs between February 2020 and June 2021 in Finland.MethodsWe linked two national registers, National Infectious Diseases Register (NIDR) and Register of Social Welfare and Healthcare Professionals (Terhikki), using national identity codes. COVID-19 cases were identified from NIDR notifications made by laboratories and physicians, and their healthcare professions from Terhikki. We categorized healthcare professions into seven groups and calculated cumulative incidences using Kaplan-Meier estimate during three periods (1/2/2020-30/6/2020, 1/7/2020-31/12/2020, 1/1/2021-30/6/2021). We identified risk factors in a multivariable model using Cox's regression.FindingsWe identified 8,009 COVID-19-cases among HCWs, with cumulative incidence of 1.79%; 83% were female, median age was 40.9 years (interquartile range, 31.2-51.6). Most COVID-19-cases occurred in nursing assistants (53%) and nurses (17%), with the highest cumulative incidences 2.07% (95%CI, 2.01-2.13%) and 1.82% (95%CI, 1.73-1.91%), respectively. Risk factors were male sex (hazard ratio (HR) 1.2; 95%CI, 1.1-1.3), foreign native language (HR 2.5; 95%CI, 2.2-2.9) and foreign country of birth (HR 1.2; 95%CI, 1.1-1.4). Physician notification data was available for 6,113/8,009 cases (76.3%); 244/6,113 (4.0%) were hospitalized and 37/6,113 (0.6%) in intensive care.ConclusionNurses and nursing assistant, especially men and professionals with foreign background, were at higher risk of COVID-19. This should be specifically addressed during training and implementing infection control measures to protect themselves and patients.
| S-EPMC10406617 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionSocio-economic and ethnic background have been discussed as possible risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children. Improved knowledge could lead to tailored prevention strategies and help improve infection control.AimWe aimed to identify risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children in the first and second wave of the pandemic.MethodsWe performed an observational population-based cohort study in children (6 months-18 years) scheduled for legally required preventive examination and their parents in a metropolitan region in Germany. Primary endpoint was the SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion rate during the study period. Risk factors assessed included age, pre-existing medical conditions, socio-economic factors and ethnicity.ResultsWe included 2,124 children and their parents. Seroconversion rates among children in all age groups increased 3-4-fold from June 2020 to February 2021. Only 24 of 58 (41%) seropositive children reported symptoms. In 51% of infected children, at least one parent was also SARS-CoV-2-positive. Low level of parental education (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 0.72-13.69) non-significantly increased the risk of infection. Of the total cohort, 38.5% had a migration background, 9% of Turkish and 5% of Middle Eastern origin, and had the highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections (OR = 6.24; 95% CI: 1.38-28.12 and OR = 6.44 (95% CI: 1.14-36.45) after adjustment for other risk factors.ConclusionIn the second half of 2020, seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 in children increased especially in families with lower-socioeconomic status. Culture-sensitive approaches are essential to limit transmission and could serve as a blueprint for vaccination strategies.
| S-EPMC9479468 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection varies with age and time. Here, we quantify how age-specific risks of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death upon infection changed from February 2020 to June 2021 in the Netherlands.MethodsA series of large representative serology surveys allowed us to estimate age-specific numbers of infections in three epidemic periods (late-February 2020 to mid-June 2020, mid-June 2020 to mid-February 2021, and mid-February 2021 to late-June 2021). We accounted for reinfections and breakthrough infections. Severity measures were obtained by combining infection numbers with age-specific numbers of hospitalization, ICU admission, and excess all-cause deaths.ResultsThere was an accelerating, almost exponential, increase in severity with age in each period. The rate of increase with age was the highest for death and the lowest for hospitalization. In late-February 2020 to mid-June 2020, the overall risk of hospitalization upon infection was 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-1.8%), the risk of ICU admission was 0.36% (95% CI: 0.31-0.42%), and the risk of death was 1.2% (95% CI: 1.0-1.4%). The risk of hospitalization was significantly increased in mid-June 2020 to mid-February 2021, while the risk of ICU admission remained stable over time. The risk of death decreased over time, with a significant drop among ≥70-years-olds in mid-February 2021 to late-June 2021; COVID-19 vaccination started early January 2021.ConclusionWhereas the increase in severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 with age remained stable, the risk of death upon infection decreased over time. A significant drop in risk of death among elderly coincided with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccination.
| S-EPMC10444602 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Brazil was considered one of the emerging epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, experiencing over 3000 daily deaths caused by the virus at the peak of the second wave. In total, the country had more than 20.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including over 582,764 fatalities. A set of emerging variants arose in the country, some of them posing new challenges for COVID-19 control. The goal of this study was to describe mutational events across samples from Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 sequences publicly obtainable on Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data-EpiCoV (GISAID-EpiCoV) platform and to generate indexes of new mutations by each genome. A total of 16,953 SARS-CoV-2 genomes were obtained, which were not proportionally representative of the five Brazilian geographical regions. A comparative sequence analysis was conducted to identify common mutations located at 42 positions of the genome (38 were in coding regions, whereas two were in 5' and two in 3' UTR). Moreover, 11 were synonymous variants, 27 were missense variants, and more than 44.4% were located in the spike gene. Across the total of single nucleotide variations (SNVs) identified, 32 were found in genomes obtained from all five Brazilian regions. While a high genomic diversity has been reported in Europe given the large number of sequenced genomes, Africa has demonstrated high potential for new variants. In South America, Brazil, and Chile, rates have been similar to those found in South Africa and India, providing enough "space" for new mutations to arise. Genomic surveillance is the central key to identifying the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil and has shown that the country is one of the "hotspots" in the generation of new variants.
| S-EPMC8473193 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have affected the wellbeing of schoolchildren worldwide, but the extent and duration of specific problems are still not completely understood. We aimed to describe students' psychosocial and behavioral parameters and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany. Our longitudinal study included 384 students from 24 randomly selected Berlin primary and secondary schools, assessing psychosocial wellbeing at four time points between June 2020 and March 2021. We analyzed temporal changes in the proportions of anxiety, fear of infection, reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity and social contacts, as well as sociodemographic and economic factors associated with anxiety, fear of infection and HRQoL. During the observation period, the presence of anxiety symptoms increased from 26.2% (96/367) to 34.6% (62/179), and fear of infection from 28.6% (108/377) to 40.6% (73/180). The proportion of children with limited social contacts (<1/week) increased from 16.4% (61/373) to 23.5% (42/179). Low physical activity (<3 times sports/week) was consistent over time. Low HRQoL was observed among 44% (77/174) of children. Factors associated with anxiety were female sex, increasing age, secondary school attendance, lower household income, and the presence of adults with anxiety symptoms in the student´s household. Fear of infection and low HRQoL were associated with anxiety. A substantial proportion of schoolchildren experienced unfavorable psychosocial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021. Students from households with limited social and financial resilience require special attention.
| S-EPMC9407732 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundData on seroconversion rates after SARS-CoV-2 infection in young children (<6 years) is scarce. The present study compares seroconversion rates between young children and adults and identifies associated factors.MethodsThe COALA study ("Corona-outbreak-related examinations in daycare centers") investigated transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in daycare centers and associated households (10/2020-06/2021). 114 individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 through PCR either prior to the study period by health authorities or in PCR testing during the study period. Two capillary blood samples were obtained within five weeks consecutively and tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG-antibodies (second sampling depending on positive PCR). Results from 91 participants (38 young children 1-6 years, 53 adults) were included in the analyses.ResultsSeroconversion rate in young children is significantly higher than in adults (97.4% versus 66%). High viral load and longer time interval between the probable date of infection and antibody testing are associated with seroconversion.ConclusionsOur findings depict substantial development of specific antibodies in young children after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This may provide temporary protection from re-infection for young children or severe disease for this age group.
| S-EPMC10504330 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children remains unclear due to many asymptomatic cases. We present a study of cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in 10,358 children recruited in paediatric hospitals across Germany from June 2020 to May 2021. Seropositivity increased from 2.0% (95% CI 1.6, 2.5) to 10.8% (95% CI 8.7, 12.9) in March 2021 with little change up to May 2021. Rates increased by migrant background (2.8%, 4.4% and 7.8% for no, one and two parents born outside Germany). Children under three were initially 3.6 (95% CI 2.3, 5.7) times more likely to be seropositive with levels equalising later. The ratio of seropositive cases per recalled infection decreased from 8.6 to 2.8. Since seropositivity exceeds the rate of recalled infections considerably, serologic testing may provide a more valid estimate of infections, which is required to assess both the spread and the risk for severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
| S-EPMC9170697 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe hyperinflammatory condition in persons aged <21 years associated with antecedent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Our objective was to describe MIS-C cases reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) national surveillance since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began.MethodsWe included patients meeting the MIS-C case definition with onset date from 19 February 2020 through 31 July 2021, using CDC's MIS-C case report form, which collects information on demographics, clinical presentation, and laboratory results. Trends over time across 3 MIS-C pandemic waves were assessed using Cochran-Armitage test for categorical and Jonckheere-Terpstra test for continuous variables.ResultsOf 4901 reported cases, 4470 met inclusion criteria. Median patient age increased over time (P < .001), with a median of 9 years (interquartile range, 5-13 years) during the most recent (third) wave. Male predominance also increased (62% in third wave, P < .001). A significant (P < .001) increase in severe hematologic and gastrointestinal involvement was observed across the study period. Frequency of several cardiovascular complications (ie, cardiac dysfunction, myocarditis, and shock/vasopressor receipt) and renal failure declined (P < .001). Provision of critical care including mechanical ventilation (P < .001) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO; P = .046) decreased, as did duration of hospitalization and mortality (each P < .001).ConclusionsOver the first 3 pandemic waves of MIS-C in the United States, cardiovascular complications and clinical outcomes including length of hospitalization, receipt of ECMO, and death decreased over time. These data serve as a baseline for monitoring future trends associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) or other variants and increased COVID-19 vaccination among children.
| S-EPMC8689703 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Wastewater-based disease surveillance is a promising approach for monitoring community outbreaks. Here we describe a nationwide campaign to monitor SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater of 159 counties in 40 U.S. states, covering 13% of the U.S. population from February 18 to June 2, 2020. Out of 1,751 total samples analyzed, 846 samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, with overall viral concentrations declining from April to May. Wastewater viral titers were consistent with, and appeared to precede, clinical COVID-19 surveillance indicators, including daily new cases. Wastewater surveillance had a high detection rate (>80%) of SARS-CoV-2 when the daily incidence exceeded 13 per 100,000 people. Detection rates were positively associated with wastewater treatment plant catchment size. To our knowledge, this work represents the largest-scale wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 monitoring campaign to date, encompassing a wide diversity of wastewater treatment facilities and geographic locations. Our findings demonstrate that a national wastewater-based approach to disease surveillance may be feasible and effective.
| S-EPMC8249441 | biostudies-literature
Project description:As of June 2022, 5 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine brands have been used in Korea's national immunization program. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has enhanced vaccine safety monitoring through a passive web-based reporting system and active text message-based monitoring. In this study, an enhanced safety monitoring system for COVID-19 vaccines is described and the frequencies and types of adverse events (AEs) associated with the 5 COVID-19 vaccine brands were analyzed. AE reports from the web-based COVID-19 Vaccination Management System and text message-based reports from recipients were analyzed. AEs were classified as nonserious or serious (e.g., death or anaphylaxis). The AE reporting rates were calculated based on the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered. A total of 125,107,883 doses were administered in Korea from February 26, 2021, to June 4, 2022. Among them, 471,068 AEs were reported, of which 96.1% were nonserious and 3.9% were serious. Among the 72,609 participants in the text message-based AE monitoring process, a higher AE rate of local and systemic reactions was reported for the 3rd versus 1st doses. A total of 874 cases of anaphylaxis (7.0 per 1,000,000 doses), 4 cases of thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), 511 cases of myocarditis (4.1 per 1,000,000 doses), and 210 cases of pericarditis (1.7 per 1,000,000 doses) were confirmed. Six fatalities were causally associated with COVID-19 vaccination (1 of TTS and 5 of myocarditis). Young adult age and female sex were related with a higher AE rate for COVID-19 vaccines. Most reported AEs were nonserious and of mild intensity.
| S-EPMC10556797 | biostudies-literature