Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil

Abstract Background Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and factors associated with in-hospital transmission rates among healthcare workers (HCW) is crucial for their protection. Brazil experienced high mortality rates due to COVID-19, and limited data are available on transmiss...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Antonio Luiz Dal Bello Gasparoto, Samara Vilas-Bôas Graeff, Wellyngton Matheus de Souza Santiago, Danielle Gomes da Silva, Thaynara Azevedo dos Santos, Leandro Martin Paulino, Wellington Santos Fava, Fernanda Paes Reis, Claudia Stutz, Adriana de Oliveira França, Ana Tereza Gomes Guerrero Moureau, Camila Amato Montalbano, Everton Ferreira Lemos, Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves, Carlos Alberto Bento Júnior, Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua, Julio Croda, Aline Pedroso Lorenz, Cristina Souza, Taynara Nogueira Martins, Kassia Roberta Nogueira da Silva, Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira, Adriana Carla Garcia Negri, Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago, Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro, James Venturini, Ana Paula da Costa Marques, Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:Human Resources for Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-024-00968-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850197839382052864
author Antonio Luiz Dal Bello Gasparoto
Samara Vilas-Bôas Graeff
Wellyngton Matheus de Souza Santiago
Danielle Gomes da Silva
Thaynara Azevedo dos Santos
Leandro Martin Paulino
Wellington Santos Fava
Fernanda Paes Reis
Claudia Stutz
Adriana de Oliveira França
Ana Tereza Gomes Guerrero Moureau
Camila Amato Montalbano
Everton Ferreira Lemos
Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves
Carlos Alberto Bento Júnior
Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua
Julio Croda
Aline Pedroso Lorenz
Cristina Souza
Taynara Nogueira Martins
Kassia Roberta Nogueira da Silva
Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira
Adriana Carla Garcia Negri
Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago
Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro
James Venturini
Ana Paula da Costa Marques
Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira
author_facet Antonio Luiz Dal Bello Gasparoto
Samara Vilas-Bôas Graeff
Wellyngton Matheus de Souza Santiago
Danielle Gomes da Silva
Thaynara Azevedo dos Santos
Leandro Martin Paulino
Wellington Santos Fava
Fernanda Paes Reis
Claudia Stutz
Adriana de Oliveira França
Ana Tereza Gomes Guerrero Moureau
Camila Amato Montalbano
Everton Ferreira Lemos
Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves
Carlos Alberto Bento Júnior
Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua
Julio Croda
Aline Pedroso Lorenz
Cristina Souza
Taynara Nogueira Martins
Kassia Roberta Nogueira da Silva
Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira
Adriana Carla Garcia Negri
Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago
Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro
James Venturini
Ana Paula da Costa Marques
Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira
author_sort Antonio Luiz Dal Bello Gasparoto
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and factors associated with in-hospital transmission rates among healthcare workers (HCW) is crucial for their protection. Brazil experienced high mortality rates due to COVID-19, and limited data are available on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW. This cohort study aimed to assess the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 infections in HCW from two tertiary hospitals in central Brazil, one of them a Reference Hospital for COVID-19. Methods From May 2020 to January 2021, 554 HCW directly involved with COVID-19 care were followed through 12 biweekly visits. During these visits, blood, nasal, and oropharyngeal samples were collected, and participants underwent interviews. SARS-CoV-2 detection was carried out using RT-qPCR, while the assessment of seroprevalence was based on IgG detection. Additionally, 35 positive samples underwent viral whole-genome sequencing. Results The infection prevalence, as per RT-qPCR, was 28.5% (24.9–32.4), reflecting an overall attack rate ranging from 0.5% to 9.5%, marked by two peaks in August and December 2020. Oligosymptomatic and asymptomatic infections accounted for 14% of prevalent infections. The seroprevalence rate stood at 25.8%. The hospitalization rate was 8.2%, with a fatality rate of 1.3%. Risk factors associated with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 included being male, working at the referral hospital, having a graduate-education level, and using hydroxychloroquine and zinc for prevention or treatment. One reinfection was identified. Absenteeism was 56.6%. The infection dynamics mirrored the pattern observed in the general population. Conclusion One-third of the professionals in the followed cohort were infected. Being male, working in a COVID-19 referral center, having a low level of education, and using medications for preventive treatment represented risk factors. Healthcare workers at the COVID-19 referral hospital exhibited a higher incidence rate compared to those at the non-referral hospital, increasing the plausibility that some of the infections occur in the hospital environment.
format Article
id doaj-art-a0edf68622764605a0b02cf38db3543a
institution OA Journals
issn 1478-4491
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Human Resources for Health
spelling doaj-art-a0edf68622764605a0b02cf38db3543a2025-08-20T02:13:02ZengBMCHuman Resources for Health1478-44912025-02-0123111310.1186/s12960-024-00968-zMapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in BrazilAntonio Luiz Dal Bello Gasparoto0Samara Vilas-Bôas Graeff1Wellyngton Matheus de Souza Santiago2Danielle Gomes da Silva3Thaynara Azevedo dos Santos4Leandro Martin Paulino5Wellington Santos Fava6Fernanda Paes Reis7Claudia Stutz8Adriana de Oliveira França9Ana Tereza Gomes Guerrero Moureau10Camila Amato Montalbano11Everton Ferreira Lemos12Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves13Carlos Alberto Bento Júnior14Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua15Julio Croda16Aline Pedroso Lorenz17Cristina Souza18Taynara Nogueira Martins19Kassia Roberta Nogueira da Silva20Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira21Adriana Carla Garcia Negri22Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago23Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro24James Venturini25Ana Paula da Costa Marques26Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira27Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulFundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) - Ceará and Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS)Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulFundação Oswaldo Cruz - Vice-Presidência de Ambiente, Atenção e Promoção da Saúde (VPAAPS/FIOCRUZ-RJ)Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do sulAbstract Background Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and factors associated with in-hospital transmission rates among healthcare workers (HCW) is crucial for their protection. Brazil experienced high mortality rates due to COVID-19, and limited data are available on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW. This cohort study aimed to assess the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 infections in HCW from two tertiary hospitals in central Brazil, one of them a Reference Hospital for COVID-19. Methods From May 2020 to January 2021, 554 HCW directly involved with COVID-19 care were followed through 12 biweekly visits. During these visits, blood, nasal, and oropharyngeal samples were collected, and participants underwent interviews. SARS-CoV-2 detection was carried out using RT-qPCR, while the assessment of seroprevalence was based on IgG detection. Additionally, 35 positive samples underwent viral whole-genome sequencing. Results The infection prevalence, as per RT-qPCR, was 28.5% (24.9–32.4), reflecting an overall attack rate ranging from 0.5% to 9.5%, marked by two peaks in August and December 2020. Oligosymptomatic and asymptomatic infections accounted for 14% of prevalent infections. The seroprevalence rate stood at 25.8%. The hospitalization rate was 8.2%, with a fatality rate of 1.3%. Risk factors associated with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 included being male, working at the referral hospital, having a graduate-education level, and using hydroxychloroquine and zinc for prevention or treatment. One reinfection was identified. Absenteeism was 56.6%. The infection dynamics mirrored the pattern observed in the general population. Conclusion One-third of the professionals in the followed cohort were infected. Being male, working in a COVID-19 referral center, having a low level of education, and using medications for preventive treatment represented risk factors. Healthcare workers at the COVID-19 referral hospital exhibited a higher incidence rate compared to those at the non-referral hospital, increasing the plausibility that some of the infections occur in the hospital environment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-024-00968-zCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2Healthcare workerAsymptomatic infectionEpidemiology
spellingShingle Antonio Luiz Dal Bello Gasparoto
Samara Vilas-Bôas Graeff
Wellyngton Matheus de Souza Santiago
Danielle Gomes da Silva
Thaynara Azevedo dos Santos
Leandro Martin Paulino
Wellington Santos Fava
Fernanda Paes Reis
Claudia Stutz
Adriana de Oliveira França
Ana Tereza Gomes Guerrero Moureau
Camila Amato Montalbano
Everton Ferreira Lemos
Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves
Carlos Alberto Bento Júnior
Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua
Julio Croda
Aline Pedroso Lorenz
Cristina Souza
Taynara Nogueira Martins
Kassia Roberta Nogueira da Silva
Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira
Adriana Carla Garcia Negri
Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago
Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro
James Venturini
Ana Paula da Costa Marques
Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira
Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil
Human Resources for Health
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
Healthcare worker
Asymptomatic infection
Epidemiology
title Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil
title_full Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil
title_fullStr Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil
title_short Mapping the viral battlefield: SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in Brazil
title_sort mapping the viral battlefield sars cov 2 infection dynamics among healthcare workers in brazil
topic COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
Healthcare worker
Asymptomatic infection
Epidemiology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-024-00968-z
work_keys_str_mv AT antonioluizdalbellogasparoto mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT samaravilasboasgraeff mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT wellyngtonmatheusdesouzasantiago mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT daniellegomesdasilva mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT thaynaraazevedodossantos mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT leandromartinpaulino mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT wellingtonsantosfava mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT fernandapaesreis mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT claudiastutz mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT adrianadeoliveirafranca mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT anaterezagomesguerreromoureau mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT camilaamatomontalbano mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT evertonferreiralemos mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT crhistinnecavalheiromaymonegoncalves mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT carlosalbertobentojunior mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT rodrigopiresdallacqua mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT juliocroda mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT alinepedrosolorenz mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT cristinasouza mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT taynaranogueiramartins mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT kassiarobertanogueiradasilva mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT aldamariateixeiraferreira mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT adrianacarlagarcianegri mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT anamariamellomirandapaniago mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT anaritacoimbramottacastro mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT jamesventurini mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT anapauladacostamarques mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil
AT sandramariadovalleleonedeoliveira mappingtheviralbattlefieldsarscov2infectiondynamicsamonghealthcareworkersinbrazil