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Kindzierski S, van Loon W, Theuring S, Hommes F, Thombansen E, Böttcher M, Matthes H, Rössig H, Weiger D, Wiesmann C, Kurth T, Kirchberger V, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP, Gertler M. SARS-CoV-2 infection among educational staff in Berlin, Germany, June to December 2020. Euro Surveill 2022; 27. [PMID: 35301979 PMCID: PMC8971916 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.11.2100524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infections in preschool and school settings potentially bear occupational risks to educational staff.AimWe aimed to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in teachers and preschool educators and at identifying factors associated with infection.MethodsWe analysed cross-sectional data derived from 17,448 voluntary, PCR-based screening tests of asymptomatic educational staff in Berlin, Germany, between June and December 2020 using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model.ResultsParticipants were largely female (73.0%), and median age was 41 years (range: 18-78). Overall, SARS-CoV-2 infection proportion was 1.2% (95% CI: 1.0-1.4). Proportion of positive tests in educational staff largely followed community incidence until the start of the second pandemic wave, when an unsteady plateau was reached. Then, the proportion of positive tests in a (concurrent) population survey was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6-1.4), 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.8) in teachers and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.6-4.0) in preschool educators. Compared with teachers, increased odds of infection were conferred by being a preschool educator (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-2.0) and by contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected individual outside of work (aOR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.5-5.5). In a step-wise backward selection, the best set of associated factors with SARS-CoV-2 infection involved age, occupation, and calendar week.ConclusionsThese results indicate that preschool educators bear increased odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with teachers. At the same time, the private environment appeared to be a relevant source of SARS-CoV-2 infection for educational staff in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Kindzierski
- These authors contributed equally to this manuscript and share first authorship.,Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- These authors contributed equally to this manuscript and share first authorship.,Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heike Rössig
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Weiger
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof Wiesmann
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valerie Kirchberger
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Gertler
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Gertler M, Krause E, van Loon W, Krug N, Kausch F, Rohardt C, Rössig H, Michel J, Nitsche A, Mall MA, Nikolai O, Hommes F, Burock S, Lindner AK, Mockenhaupt FP, Pison U, Seybold J. Self-collected oral, nasal and saliva samples yield sensitivity comparable to professionally collected oro-nasopharyngeal swabs in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis among symptomatic outpatients. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 110:261-266. [PMID: 34302962 PMCID: PMC8295057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Containing COVID-19 requires broad-scale testing. However, sample collection requires qualified personnel and protective equipment and may cause transmission. We assessed the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2-rtPCR applying three self-sampling techniques as compared to professionally collected oro-nasopharyngeal samples (cOP/NP). Methods From 62 COVID-19 outpatients, we obtained: (i) multi-swab, MS; (ii) saliva sponge combined with nasal vestibula, SN; (iii) gargled water, GW; (iv) professionally collected cOP/NP (standard). We compared ct-values for E-gene and ORF1ab and analysed variables reducing sensitivity of self-collecting procedures. Results The median ct-values for E-gene and ORF1ab obtained in cOP/NP samples were 20.7 and 20.2, in MS samples 22.6 and 21.8, in SN samples 23.3 and 22.3, and in GW samples 30.3 and 29.8, respectively. MS and SN samples showed sensitivities of 95.2% (95%CI, 86.5-99.0) and GW samples of 88.7% (78.1-95.3). Sensitivity was inversely correlated with ct-values, and became <90% for samples obtained more than 8 days after symptom onset. For MS and SN samples, false negativity was associated with language problems, sampling errors, and symptom duration. Conclusion Conclusions from this study are limited to the sensitivity of self-sampling in mildly to moderately symptomatic patients. Still, self-collected oral/nasal/saliva samples can facilitate up-scaling of testing in early symptomatic COVID-19 patients if operational errors are minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Gertler
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Eva Krause
- Robert Koch Institute - center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Division Highly Pathogenic Viruses ZBS1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Niklas Krug
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franka Kausch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Rohardt
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heike Rössig
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Medical Directorate, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Robert Koch Institute - center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Division Highly Pathogenic Viruses ZBS1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Robert Koch Institute - center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Division Highly Pathogenic Viruses ZBS1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A Mall
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga Nikolai
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susen Burock
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas K Lindner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P Mockenhaupt
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Pison
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Medical Directorate, Berlin, Germany
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van Loon W, Rössig H, Burock S, Hofmann J, Bernhard J, Linzbach E, Pettenkofer D, Schönfeld C, Gertler M, Seybold J, Kurth T, Mockenhaupt FP. Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage at Outpatient Testing Site, Berlin, Germany, January-March 2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27. [PMID: 34152970 PMCID: PMC8237906 DOI: 10.3201/eid2707.210845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Within 5 weeks in 2021, B.1.1.7 became the dominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 lineage at an outpatient testing site in Berlin, Germany. Compared with outpatients with wild-type virus infection, patients with B.1.1.7 had similar cycle threshold values, more frequent sore throat and travel history, and less frequent anosmia/ageusia.
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Osmanodja B, Budde K, Zickler D, Naik MG, Hofmann J, Gertler M, Hülso C, Rössig H, Horn P, Seybold J, Lunow S, Bothmann M, Barrera-Pesek A, Mayrdorfer M. Accuracy of a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Antigen-Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Test from Standardized Self-Collected Anterior Nasal Swabs. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10102099. [PMID: 34068236 PMCID: PMC8153114 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) offer new opportunities for the quick and laboratory-independent identification of infected individuals for control of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Despite the potential benefits, nasopharyngeal sample collection is frequently perceived as uncomfortable by patients and requires trained healthcare personnel with protective equipment. Therefore, anterior nasal self-sampling is increasingly recognized as a valuable alternative. Methods We performed a prospective, single-center, point of care validation of an Ag-RDT using a polypropylene absorbent collector for standardized self-collected anterior nasal swabs. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from combined oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs served as a comparator. Primary endpoint was sensitivity of the standardized Ag-RDT in symptomatic patients with medium or high viral concentration (≥1 million RNA copies on RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2). Results Between 12 February and 22 March 2021, 388 participants were enrolled. After exclusion of 9 patients for which no PCR result could be obtained, the novel Ag-RDT was evaluated based on 379 participants, of whom 273 were symptomatic and 106 asymptomatic. In 61 samples from symptomatic patients with medium or high viral load (≥1 million RNA copies), the sensitivity of the standardized Ag-RDT was 96.7% (59/61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 88.7–99.6%) for the primary endpoint. In total, 62 positive Ag-RDT results were detected out of 70 RT-PCR positive individuals, yielding an overall sensitivity of 88.6% (95% CI: 78.7–94.9%). Specificity was 99.7% (95% CI: 98.2–100%) in 309 RT-PCR negative individuals. Conclusions Here, we present a validation of a novel Ag-RDT with a standardized sampling process for anterior nasal self-collection, which meets World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria of ≥80% sensitivity and ≥97% specificity. Although less sensitive than RT-PCR, this assay could be beneficial due to its rapid results, ease of use, and suitability for standardized self-testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilgin Osmanodja
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (K.B.); (D.Z.); (M.G.N.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: + 49-30-450-614-368
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (K.B.); (D.Z.); (M.G.N.); (M.M.)
| | - Daniel Zickler
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (K.B.); (D.Z.); (M.G.N.); (M.M.)
| | - Marcel G. Naik
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (K.B.); (D.Z.); (M.G.N.); (M.M.)
- Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- Institute of Virology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Labor Berlin–Charité Vivantes GmbH, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Gertler
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (M.B.); (A.B.-P.)
| | - Claudia Hülso
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (M.B.); (A.B.-P.)
| | - Heike Rössig
- Medical Directorate, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (H.R.); (P.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Philipp Horn
- Medical Directorate, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (H.R.); (P.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (H.R.); (P.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Stephanie Lunow
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (M.B.); (A.B.-P.)
| | - Melanie Bothmann
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (M.B.); (A.B.-P.)
| | - Astrid Barrera-Pesek
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.G.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (M.B.); (A.B.-P.)
| | - Manuel Mayrdorfer
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (K.B.); (D.Z.); (M.G.N.); (M.M.)
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