Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Factors Associated with Seropositivity at the University of Salamanca: The DIANCUSAL Study

© 2021 by the authors[Background]: Systematic screening for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is a crucial tool for surveillance of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of Salamanca (USAL) in Spain designed a project called “DIANCUSAL” (Diagnosis of New Coronavirus, COVID-19, in University of Salamanca) to measure antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among its ~34,000 students and academic staff, as the influence of the university community in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the city of Salamanca and neighboring towns hosting USAL campuses could be substantial.[Objective]: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among USAL students, professors and staff and to evaluate the demographic, academic, clinical and lifestyle and behavioral factors related to seropositivity.[Methodology]: The DIANCUSAL study is an ongoing university population-based cross-sectional study, with the work described herein conducted from July–October 2020. All USAL students, professors and staff were invited to complete an anonymized questionnaire. Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was detected and quantified by using chemiluminescent assays for IgG and IgM. Principal findings: A total of 8197 (24.71%) participants were included. The mean age was 31.4 (14.5 SD) years, and 66.0% of the participants were female. The seroprevalence was 8.25% overall and was highest for students from the education campus (12.5%) and professors from the biomedical campus (12.6%), with significant differences among faculties (p = 0.006). Based on the questionnaire, loss of smell and fever were the symptoms most strongly associated with seropositivity, and 22.6% of seropositive participants were asymptomatic. Social distancing was the most effective hygiene measure (p = 0.0007). There were significant differences in seroprevalence between participants with and without household exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0.0000), but not between students who lived in private homes and those who lived in dormitories. IgG antibodies decreased over time in the participants with confirmed self-reported COVID-19 diagnoses.[Conclusions]: The analysis revealed an overall 8.25% seroprevalence at the end of October 2020, with a higher seroprevalence in students than in staff. Thus, there is no need for tailored measures for the USAL community as the official average seroprevalence in the area was similar (7.8% at 22 June and 12.4 at 15 November of 2020). Instead, USAL members should comply with public health measures.The DIANCUSAL (Diagnosis of New Coronavirus, COVID-19, in University of Salamanca) study was funded by a grant from the University of Salamanca (USAL)

Influence of the drugs used in migrant patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the development of symptomatic strongyloidiasis

Background The use of dexamethasone in patients infected with Strongyloides stercoralis can cause severe complications. It is necessary to investigate the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and strongyloidiasis infection. Methods A retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive study was undertaken to review all patients admitted with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection at the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Spain, during 1 March–31 December 2020. Results A total of 2567 patients received a diagnosis of COVID-19. Eighty-six patients from endemic areas were included. Seven patients had strongyloidiasis. Five patients were female. The mean age (±SD) was 39 (±10.8) y. Six patients were Latin-American and only one patient was from Africa. Six patients had previous symptoms compatible with strongyloidiasis infections. Only three patients received dexamethasone (6 mg once daily) for 10 d. In all cases, the clinical courses of the patients were satisfactory. No patient died or was admitted to the ICU. Conclusions Screening programmes using serological techniques should be implemented in COVID-19 patients to prevent strongyloidiasis. Our study suggested that drugs used against COVID-19 in patients with strongyloidiasis did not affect the evolution of the disease. However, more studies are necessary to elucidate the role of dexamethasone in COVID-19 patients infected with Strongyloides.This research was funded by the Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León [COV20EDU/00657] and European Union cofinancing by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), ‘Una manera de hacer Europa’.Peer reviewe