AI Article Synopsis

  • A seroepidemiological study in Tyrol, Austria, assessed SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity among over 5,300 blood donors, revealing a 3.1% seroprevalence, significantly higher than reported case numbers.
  • The study found higher seroprevalence in the Landeck district (16.6%) and among individuals under 25 years of age, with travel to specific areas increasing the odds of seropositivity.
  • Participants who tested positive for antibodies more often reported symptoms like loss of smell and taste compared to those with suspected infections but negative antibody tests, highlighting the relevance of serological testing.

Article Abstract

Background: Seroepidemiological studies provide important insight into the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) in our society. We aimed to determine seropositivity of SARS-CoV‑2 antibodies and its cross-sectional correlates in a large cohort of blood donors.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, we tested healthy blood donors residing in Tyrol, Austria, for SARS-CoV‑2 antibodies using the Abbott SARS-CoV‑2 IgG chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. We estimated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of seroprevalences using bootstrapping and tested for differences by participant characteristics using logistic regression.

Findings: Between 8 June and 4 September 2020, we screened 5345 healthy individuals at local blood donor sessions (mean age 42.7 years, SD 13.5 years, 46.7% female). Overall seroprevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 2.7-3.6%, 165 cases), which is 5.1-fold higher (95% CI 4.5-6.0%) than the case number identified by the health authorities in the state-wide testing program (0.6%; 4536 out of 757,634). Seroprevalence was higher in the district Landeck (16.6%, P < 0.001) and in individuals aged < 25 years (4.7%, P = 0.043), but did not differ by gender, blood types, or medication intake. The odds ratio for seropositivity was 2.51 for participants who had travelled to Ischgl (1.49-4.21, P = 0.001), 1.39 who had travelled to other federal states (1.00-1.93, P = 0.052), and 2.41 who had travelled abroad (1.61-3.63, P < 0.001). Compared to participants who had a suspected/confirmed SARS-CoV‑2 infection but were seronegative, seropositive participants more frequently reported loss of smell (odds ratio = 2.49, 1.32-4.68, P = 0.005) and taste (odds ratio = 2.76, 1.54-4.92, P = 0.001).

Conclusion: In summer 2020, SARS-CoV‑2 seroprevalence in Tyrolean blood donors was 3.1%. Our study revealed regional variation and associations with young age, travel history and specific symptoms.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8546400PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00508-021-01963-3DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

healthy blood
8
blood donors
8
tyrol austria
8
sars-cov‑2 antibodies
8
prevalence sars-cov-2
4
sars-cov-2 antibodies
4
antibodies healthy
4
blood
4
donors state
4
state tyrol
4

Similar Publications

This study investigates the safety of three different daily dosages of a liquid blend containing kava and kratom (Feel Free® Classic Tonic {FFCT}) in healthy adults over six consecutive days of supplementation. Both kava and kratom have been used traditionally for hundreds of years, but there is limited data on the combined safety of these ingredients. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the participants were assigned to receive one of three daily dosages of FFCT or placebo.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Vascular ageing manifestations and hypertension in the community.

Am J Prev Cardiol

March 2025

Université Paris Cité, INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, Team Integrative epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases, Paris, France.

Objective: To investigate the association between joint manifestations of vascular ageing (VA) and hypertension.

Methods: We used baseline (2008-2012) and follow-up data (up to 2024) from the Paris Prospective Study III, a French cohort of 10,157 participants. Prevalent and incident hypertension were determined at baseline (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or on medication) and at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years of follow-up (self-reported antihypertensive treatment).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Repeated polyserositis, another name for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), is an autoimmune disorder with an autosomal recessive nature primarily characterized by short-lived repeated periods of peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis, generally accompanied by fever.

Methods: Our participants were divided into two groups. Group I (patients): 100 individuals who were diagnosed as patients with FMF and were monitored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Molecular changes have a substantial impact on the onset of colorectal cancer (CRC). Complexes of HOTAIR and miRNAs disrupt several cellular functions during carcinogenesis, primarily by disrupting several carcinogenic signaling pathways. In the present study, the relationships between the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and E-cadherin and those of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and microRNA-130a (miR-130a) in individuals with CRC were analyzed, including their correlations and diagnostic potential.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic autoimmune disease. Many studies have shown that microorganisms may be an important pathological factor leading to the onset of RA. Some infectious or non-infectious pathogenic microorganisms and their metabolites may be the initiating factors of the early onset of RA.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!