SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among vaccinated nursing home residents and staff in Belgium in August 2021

The SCOPE study assesses the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among a representative sample of residents and staff in Belgian NH (nursing homes). Starting from February 1st 2021, a cohort of 1,640 residents and 1.368 staff members in 69 Belgian NHs are being tested every two months on the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This brief communication reports on the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among vaccinated nursing home residents and staff. At the end of April 2021, the large scale vaccination campaign in Belgian nursing homes, which took place between January 5th and March 24th 2021, resulted in a vaccination coverage of 97% in NH residents and 84% in staff members. For these vaccinated groups, we describe the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies immediately following the vaccination campaign (April, 2021) and the seroprevalence evolution over the two following testing periods (in June and August 2021). Data collection of the August 2021 testing period was not finished at the time of compiling this brief communication. The August 2021 testing period comprises the data from 65 out of the 69 nursing homes. Additionally, some antibody test results are expected the coming weeks in case of self-sampling (for staff in particular). Results given here are preliminary. Small adaptations in some data might occur in future reports.SCOP

Accuracy of routine laboratory tests to predict mortality and deterioration to severe or critical COVID-19 in people with SARS-CoV-2

Objectives This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows:  To assess the accuracy of routine blood-based laboratory tests to predict mortality and deterioration to severe or critical (from mild or moderate) COVID-19 in people with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary objectives Where data are available, we will investigate whether prognostic accuracy varies according to a specific measurement or test, reference standard, timing of outcome verification, sample type, study design, and setting, including prevalence of the target condition (either by stratified analysis or meta-regression)

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian nursing home residents and staff during the primary COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Nursing home residents (NHR) and staff have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and were therefore prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccination strategy. However, frail older adults, like NHR, are known to have decreased antibody responses upon vaccination targeting other viral antigens. OBJECTIVES: As real-world data on vaccine responsiveness, we assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian NHR and staff during the primary COVID-19 vaccination campaign. METHODS: In total, we tested 1629 NHR and 1356 staff across 69 Belgian NHs for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibodies using rapid tests. We collected socio-demographic and COVID-19-related medical data through questionnaires. Sampling occurred between 1 February and 24 March 2021, in a randomly sampled population that received none, one or two BNT162b2 vaccine doses. RESULTS: We found that during the primary vaccination campaign with 59% of the study population fully vaccinated, 74% had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among fully vaccinated individuals only, fewer residents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (77%) than staff (98%), suggesting an impaired vaccine-induced antibody response in the elderly, with lowest seroprevalences observed among infection naïve residents. COVID-19 vaccination status and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were predictors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Alternatively, age ≥ 80 years old, the presence of comorbidities and high care dependency predicted SARS-CoV-2 seronegativity in NHR. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 immunity upon vaccination in the elderly population, as their impaired humoral responses could imply insufficient protection against COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04738695)

Point-of-care C-reactive protein test results in acute infections in children in primary care:an observational study

BACKGROUND: Acute infections are a common reason for children to consult primary care. Serious infections are rare but differentiating them from self-limiting illnesses remains challenging. This can lead to inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Point-of-care C-reactive protein testing is used to guide antibiotic prescribing in adults. However, in children its use remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess point-of-care CRP test levels with respect to patients' characteristics, care setting, preliminary diagnosis, and management. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed in children with an acute infection presenting to ambulatory care in Belgium. RESULTS: In this study 8280 cases were analysed, of which 6552 had a point-of-care CRP value available. A total of 276 physicians participated. The median patient age was 1.98 years (IQR 0.97 to 4.17), 37% of children presented to a general practitioner, 33% to a paediatric out-patient clinic, and 30% to the emergency department. A total of 131 different preliminary diagnoses were found, with acute upper airway infection as the most frequent. In 6% (n = 513) patients were diagnosed with a serious infection. The most common serious infection was pneumonia. Antibiotics were prescribed in 28% (n = 2030) of all episodes. The median CRP over all infectious episodes was 10 mg/L (IQR < 5-29). Children below 5 years of age and those presenting to a paediatrician had a higher median CRP. Median CRP in patients with serious infections was 21 mg/L (IQR 6 to 63.5). Pneumonia had a median CRP of 48 mg/L (IQR 13-113). In the episodes with antibiotics prescription, median CRP level was 29 mg/L (IQR 10-58) compared to 7 mg/L (IQR < 5-19) when they were not prescribed. CONCLUSION: A low POC CRP as a standalone tool did not seem to be sufficient to rule out serious infections, but its potential in assessing serious infections could increase when integrated in a clinical decision rule. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02024282 (registered on 31/12/2013)

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian nursing home residents and staff during the primary COVID-19 vaccination campaign

BACKGROUND: Nursing home residents (NHR) and staff have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and were therefore prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccination strategy. However, frail older adults, like NHR, are known to have decreased antibody responses upon vaccination targeting other viral&nbsp;antigens. OBJECTIVES: As real-world data on vaccine responsiveness, we assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian NHR and staff during the primary COVID-19 vaccination&nbsp;campaign. METHODS: In total, we tested 1629 NHR and 1356 staff across 69 Belgian NHs for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibodies using rapid tests. We collected socio-demographic and COVID-19-related medical data through questionnaires. Sampling occurred between 1 February and 24 March 2021, in a randomly sampled population that received none, one or two BNT162b2 vaccine&nbsp;doses. RESULTS: We found that during the primary vaccination campaign with 59% of the study population fully vaccinated, 74% had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among fully vaccinated individuals only, fewer residents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (77%) than staff (98%), suggesting an impaired vaccine-induced antibody response in the elderly, with lowest seroprevalences observed among infection naïve residents. COVID-19 vaccination status and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were predictors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Alternatively, age ≥ 80 years old, the presence of comorbidities and high care dependency predicted SARS-CoV-2 seronegativity in NHR. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 immunity upon vaccination in the elderly population, as their impaired humoral responses could imply insufficient protection against COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04738695).</p

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among nursing home residents and staff in Belgium in August 2021 : brief communication on preliminary results of the SCOPE study

Brief communication: preliminary results of the SCOPE study (Sars-COv-2 seroPrEvalence). dd. 01/09/202

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among nursing home residents and staff in Belgium, SCOPE

From February 1st until March 24th, 2021, the SCOPE study measured the proportion of residents and staff members in Belgian nursing homes (NH) that had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (seroprevalence). In total, 1,572 residents and 1,253 staff members from 69 NHs in Belgium were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by a point-of-care rapid test, and responded to a COVID-19 related questionnaire. At the first testing moment (five bimonthly follow-up testing moments are scheduled), we observed the following:Between February 1st and March 24th, 2021, during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign, 69% (95% CI: 63%-74%) of residents and 80% (95% CI: 76%- 83%) of staff in Belgian nursing homes had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. At the time of testing 96% of the residents received at least one vaccination dose and 68% were fully vaccinated. For staff this data were respectively 85% and 48%. So, although more residents than staff were vaccinated at the moment of testing, seroprevalence was lower among residents than among staff. At least one day after receiving one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, 52% of residents tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and 77% tested positive at least one day after receiving two doses. Among staff these findings were higher, being respectively 75% and 98%. The proportion of residents and staff with antibodies after vaccination was higher among those who reported a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection than among those without a self- reported previous infection.SCOP

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian nursing home residents and staff during the primary COVID-19 vaccination campaign

BackgroundNursing home residents (NHR) and staff have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and were therefore prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccination strategy. However, frail older adults, like NHR, are known to have decreased antibody responses upon vaccination targeting other viral antigens.ObjectivesAs real-world data on vaccine responsiveness, we assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian NHR and staff during the primary COVID-19 vaccination campaign.MethodsIn total, we tested 1629 NHR and 1356 staff across 69 Belgian NHs for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibodies using rapid tests. We collected socio-demographic and COVID-19-related medical data through questionnaires. Sampling occurred between 1 February and 24 March 2021, in a randomly sampled population that received none, one or two BNT162b2 vaccine doses.ResultsWe found that during the primary vaccination campaign with 59% of the study population fully vaccinated, 74% had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among fully vaccinated individuals only, fewer residents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (77%) than staff (98%), suggesting an impaired vaccine-induced antibody response in the elderly, with lowest seroprevalences observed among infection naive residents. COVID-19 vaccination status and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were predictors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Alternatively, age >= 80 years old, the presence of comorbidities and high care dependency predicted SARS-CoV-2 seronegativity in NHR.ConclusionThese findings highlight the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 immunity upon vaccination in the elderly population, as their impaired humoral responses could imply insufficient protection against COVID-19