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Real-world experience of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays in UK healthcare workers

Alyss V Robinson, Gary Weaving, Barbara J Philips, Alice C Eziefula, Kate E Shipman and Timothy Chevassut
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2020.1007
Clin Med March 2021
Alyss V Robinson
ABrighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK;
Roles: academic foundation trainee
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  • For correspondence: alyss.robinson@nhs.net
Gary Weaving
BBrighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK;
Roles: senior clinical scientist
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Barbara J Philips
CBrighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, and consultant in intensive care medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK;
Roles: reader
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Alice C Eziefula
DBrighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, and consultant in infectious disease, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK;
Roles: senior lecturer
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Kate E Shipman
EWestern Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing, UK;
Roles: consultant in chemical pathology
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Timothy Chevassut
FBrighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, and consultant in haematology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
Roles: reader
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ABSTRACT

Background The seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers is variable throughout the world. This study compares the use of two antibody assays among large cohorts of healthcare workers in southern England.

Methods This cohort study includes data obtained from staff at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WSHT) and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) during voluntary antibody testing, using Abbott and Roche SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays at each Trust respectively.

Results The observed seroprevalence level was 7.9% for the WSHT/Abbott cohort versus 13% for the BSUH/Roche cohort. Based on a previous positive PCR, we find that the false-negative rate of the Abbott and Roche assays were 60.2% and 19% respectively, implying sensitivity levels of 39.8% and 81%. Within these cohorts, seropositivity was most strongly associated with those of South Asian ethnicity, allied health professionals and male sex (p<0.0001).

Conclusions In this real-world study, neither antibody test performed to the specification level stated by the manufacturer. More rigorous testing of these and other assays in target populations is recommended prior to widespread usage if they are to provide data that might be useful to control the pandemic.

KEYWORDS
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • seroprevalence
  • healthcare workers
  • COVID-19
  • antibody assay
  • © Royal College of Physicians 2021. All rights reserved.
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Real-world experience of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays in UK healthcare workers
Alyss V Robinson, Gary Weaving, Barbara J Philips, Alice C Eziefula, Kate E Shipman, Timothy Chevassut
Clinical Medicine Mar 2021, clinmed.2020.1007; DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2020.1007

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Real-world experience of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays in UK healthcare workers
Alyss V Robinson, Gary Weaving, Barbara J Philips, Alice C Eziefula, Kate E Shipman, Timothy Chevassut
Clinical Medicine Mar 2021, clinmed.2020.1007; DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2020.1007
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